Amy Williamson, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This is "Amy Williamson," a promotional card from the Actors and Actresses series by W. Duke, Sons & Co., printed around 1888. The sepia tone suffuses the image, creating a muted, dreamlike quality. The composition is strikingly simple, with the actress positioned centrally. A cascade of feathered plumes frames Williamson, adding dynamism and depth. The feathers, rendered with fine lines, introduce an element of texture that contrasts with her softly focused features. Her gaze, directed slightly off-center, suggests a narrative beyond the frame. The use of sepia flattens the image, drawing attention to the linear quality of the feathers and the tonal variations in her attire. As a commercial product, the card’s aesthetic choices reveal a tension between artistic representation and market appeal. This blend of artistry and commerce challenges established notions of value and authorship. As such, the card serves as a material signifier of late 19th-century cultural values.