Card Number 131, Violet Cameron, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This is a promotional card for Cameo Cigarettes, produced by Duke Sons & Co. in late 19th-century America. It features an image of Violet Cameron, a popular actress of the time. But what does it mean to use a celebrity image to sell tobacco? The card provides a fascinating insight into the social and cultural history of the period. The burgeoning advertising industry recognized the power of associating products with admired figures, thereby transferring glamour and desirability. This reflects a growing consumer culture, driven by mass production and marketing. Actresses like Cameron, through their stage presence and public image, became key figures in shaping social aspirations and norms. Understanding this card requires us to delve into archives, exploring advertising history, the rise of celebrity culture, and the social impact of tobacco. By examining such seemingly simple images, we uncover complex relationships between commerce, culture, and identity in a rapidly changing society.