Miss Kate Vaughan, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is Miss Kate Vaughan, a promotional card for Duke Cigarettes, dating from the late 19th century. These cards were a popular marketing tool, offering glimpses into the lives and personas of public figures, like Vaughan, a celebrated actress. What strikes me most is the constructed nature of this image. Vaughan’s wasp waist, achieved through corsetry, speaks volumes about the era’s expectations for female beauty and the constraints placed upon women's bodies. Yet, there’s also a sense of power here. As a performer, Vaughan defied the limitations of Victorian society, embodying different roles and captivating audiences. The card itself is a commodity, linking Vaughan’s image to the consumption of cigarettes. It raises questions about the commodification of identity and the ways in which women, especially actresses, were both celebrated and exploited in the public sphere. It's a potent reminder of the complex interplay between identity, commerce, and representation in shaping our understanding of the past and present.