Card Number 124, Helen Dayton, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Card Number 124, Helen Dayton, from the Actors and Actresses series was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. between 1870 and 1920 to promote Duke Cigarettes. This card is part of a larger cultural phenomenon of using images of actresses to sell consumer products. Dayton's portrayal invites us to consider the societal expectations placed on women in the late 19th century. On one hand, she embodies an idealized vision of feminine beauty, yet on the other, she is used as a commodity to promote smoking, a habit increasingly associated with masculinity. What does it mean to see a woman’s image become intertwined with commerce and desire? These cards reflect the complex interplay between celebrity, gender, and consumerism that defined the Gilded Age. They were instrumental in shaping perceptions of beauty and success, while also reinforcing social hierarchies.