Celia Ellis, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: Here we have "Celia Ellis, from the Actors and Actresses series," dating to the 1880s, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. This print, which incorporates drawing and photography, strikes me as surprisingly intimate, given it was advertising cigarettes. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, it's crucial to understand that this image existed within a booming culture of celebrity and mass media. Tobacco companies aggressively used images of popular figures – like Celia Ellis – to market their products. These cards, distributed with cigarette packs, became highly collectible, shaping public perceptions of beauty and success. Notice how the photographic element lends an air of "truth," even though the pose and setting are carefully constructed. It blends commercial intent with emerging notions of fame. Editor: So, this isn't just about selling cigarettes; it's about selling a lifestyle, an aspirational image associated with these actresses. Is it accurate to say that companies created these celebrity narratives? Curator: Precisely! Think about how museums themselves contribute to creating these "narratives." We select, display, and interpret objects, thereby shaping the stories people tell about history and culture. This little cigarette card participates in that larger system of representation, only more blatantly tied to commercial interests. Who gets remembered and how are carefully managed constructs. Editor: That's a powerful way to look at it. I hadn't considered how advertising acts as a form of cultural curation, too. I’m rethinking its meaning completely. Curator: Seeing those parallels is key. Thinking about how popular culture influences us is invaluable to anyone who wants to learn more about cultural history.