Card Number 107, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-1) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 107 from the Actors and Actresses series, a promotional card issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. for Cross Cut Cigarettes. These cards, like this one, offer a glimpse into the popular culture of the late 19th century. This sepia-toned card reflects the societal gaze on women in entertainment. Actresses were among the first women who were allowed to be successful in the public sphere and in the capitalist market. The card, and the image it depicts, participates in the commodification and circulation of female images. The actress, adorned in a delicate lace head covering, embodies an ideal of beauty and femininity that was highly sought after at the time. Yet, the card does not explicitly credit the actress, reminding us of the lack of recognition and agency women often experienced. As you consider this card, reflect on the complex interplay of visibility, identity, and commerce in shaping perceptions of women in the past and the present.