[Actress lounging while holding bouquet of flowers], from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

Editor: This is a sepia-toned photographic print dating from the 1890s. It's part of the "Actors and Actresses" series sponsored by Duke Cigarettes. She looks pretty relaxed. What stands out to you, Professor? Curator: I am intrigued by the social context surrounding this image. Cigarette cards functioned as both advertising and collectibles. They blur the boundaries between commercial production, visual representation, and the consumption habits of the late 19th century. Think of the industrial processes necessary for mass-producing both the cigarettes and the cards. Editor: That makes sense. It’s interesting to think about how this image was designed to sell cigarettes, but also to create this glamorous image of the actress. Is there an element of labor being represented here? Curator: Precisely. While the actress presents an image of leisure, the production and distribution of this card depended on the labor of many, often marginalized, individuals. From the tobacco farmers to the factory workers printing these images, there are layers of materiality involved. And who was collecting these? Editor: I’d imagine mainly working-class men. So, there's a relationship to class at play here, the image representing aspirational goals, even if it's just possessing a collectible item. Curator: Exactly. It speaks to a growing culture of consumption and image production. It is also a documentation of a very new form of advertisement that speaks to our culture now. What are some takeaways about the photograph? Editor: Considering the materials involved and the card's role in promoting consumption gives me a richer understanding. Curator: Indeed. The image becomes more than a simple portrait; it is a fragment of a much larger material and social network.