M'lle Alencon, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This is a promotional card of M'lle Alencon, an actress, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. sometime between 1870 and 1920 to advertise Duke Cigarettes. The card is from a series featuring actors and actresses, reflecting a late 19th-century culture of celebrity endorsement and the rise of mass media. Tobacco companies like Duke sought to associate their products with glamorous figures, subtly suggesting that smoking their cigarettes would lead to a life of sophistication. The actress, likely French, is depicted in what might be a stage costume, evoking a world of leisure and spectacle. Understanding the image requires us to look beyond its surface appeal, researching the careers of actresses like M'lle Alencon, the history of Duke Cigarettes, and the evolution of advertising practices. Approaching the artwork in this way allows us to examine its role in shaping consumer culture. It speaks to the relationship between entertainment, commerce, and the social construction of desire.