Card Number 70, Agnes Booth, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: So this is "Card Number 70, Agnes Booth," an image created in the 1880s by W. Duke, Sons & Co., currently residing at The Met. It's a promotional card, I think, maybe a photograph, sepia-toned… I find the figures captivating. What strikes you most when you look at this image? Curator: It's fascinating how something as ephemeral as a cigarette card can offer a window into the cultural landscape of the late 19th century. The card features Agnes Booth, a popular actress, and was created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Cross Cut Cigarettes. Think about how this card functioned: a tiny, mass-produced object designed to circulate images of celebrity into everyday life. It's both art and advertising. What does it tell us about the role of women, entertainment, and commerce during that period? Editor: It feels like celebrity culture then and now. Was it common to have actresses promoting products like this? Curator: Absolutely. Actresses, with their carefully crafted public images, became powerful endorsements. Consider how the visibility of these women was amplified through mass media. This particular image, and the entire series, reveal how advertising became a significant force in shaping public perception. But I wonder, were the cards seen as inherently connected to tobacco, or did Agnes Booth's celebrity stand on its own, transcending the product? Editor: I hadn’t considered that. So, it’s not just a picture, it’s part of a much larger conversation about culture and how celebrity intersected with commerce back then. Curator: Precisely! And it begs the question, how different is that from now? Examining how art, commerce, and celebrity converge across time offers insights into shifting cultural values and the persistent power of images. Editor: This makes me think about these promotional cards as more than just collectables or advertisements. I’m rethinking the whole role of the art we consume.