Card Number 169, Annie Harris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This small card from around 1900, produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co., features the actress Annie Harris as part of a series to promote Duke Cigarettes. These cards were commercial ephemera, but they also offer us a glimpse into the social and cultural values of the time. The image presents Harris in costume, likely from a theatrical production. Looking at the card, we can consider the role of actresses like Harris in shaping public perceptions of women, particularly in the context of a burgeoning entertainment industry. In an era defined by strict social norms, the theatre offered a space where those norms could be both reinforced and challenged. This was a time when advertising increasingly relied on celebrity endorsements. The relationship between performers and commercial products is something of an historical artifact in itself. To truly understand this card, we can use a range of resources, from theatre archives to advertising history. By studying the card's institutional context, we gain insight into the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society.