Actress wearing red silk cap with gold detailing, from Stars of the Stage, First Series (N129) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1890

This small card from around 1900, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., is printed in color lithography. Far from traditional art materials, paper and ink are here used for the everyday purpose of promoting 'Honest Long Cut Tobacco'. The actress’s red silk cap with gold detailing draws the eye. The rendering of the silk shows attention to the soft drape and sheen of the material. The printing process allows for a relatively high level of detail, seen in the intricate gold trim of the cap and the delicate curls of her hair. Yet, the card is mass-produced. Lithography allowed for color images to be printed quickly and in large quantities. This reflects the rise of consumer culture, where images became essential tools in advertising and promotion. It is no accident that the ‘Stars of the Stage’ series was intended as promotional material for the American Tobacco Company, as it aimed to widen its consumer base. Understanding the card requires that we consider not only what it depicts, but how it was made, and why. The materials, processes, and social context of this artwork open a window onto broader cultural and economic shifts at the turn of the 20th century.