Card Number 29, Adelaide Neilson, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 29, Adelaide Neilson, an advertisement for Duke Cigarettes, dating to around 1888 in the United States. This card, from a series featuring actors and actresses, speaks volumes about the cultural landscape of the time. The late 19th century witnessed the rise of mass media and consumer culture, and the Duke company cleverly tapped into the popularity of stage performers to promote their brand. Note how Adelaide Neilson, a celebrated actress, is presented here. The choice of a well-known figure suggests an attempt to associate smoking with sophistication and the glamorous world of theater. This association implies that consumers can enhance their social status by buying a certain brand of cigarettes. This card also raises questions about the commercialization of art and celebrity culture. By looking at similar ads and marketing materials, we can better understand how the image of performers like Neilson was carefully constructed and circulated to influence consumer behavior.