Actress wearing white cloth bonnet, from Stars of the Stage, First Series (N129) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1890

This small chromolithograph was produced around the turn of the century by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series of collectible cards promoting Honest Long Cut Tobacco. It features a portrait of an actress, likely a popular performer of the time. The composition centers on the actress's face, framed by a white bonnet. The soft pink background highlights the delicate coloring of her skin and the fine details of her features. Note how the textures in the print—the bonnet, the hair—add depth to the image, drawing the viewer's eye into the intimate space of the portrait. In its original context, this card functioned as both advertisement and cultural artifact, reflecting the period's fascination with celebrity and its burgeoning consumer culture. Consider how this small, mass-produced object was intended not only to sell tobacco but also to convey certain ideals of beauty and success, blurring the lines between art, commerce, and identity.