Card Number 395, Minnie Connor, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 395, Minnie Connor, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7), issued by Duke Sons & Co. around 1888 to promote Duke Cigarettes. Trading cards like these became popular in the late 19th century, offering companies a novel way to advertise their products. What makes this card interesting is the combination of consumerism, celebrity culture, and the representation of women. Minnie Connor, an actress, is presented here as an object of admiration, subtly linked to the consumption of cigarettes. The image itself is carefully constructed. Connor's pose, attire, and soft lighting all contribute to an image of feminine beauty, designed to appeal to potential smokers. The commercial context is crucial to understanding its cultural significance. Historians can use resources like trade publications, company archives, and census records to learn more about the people, industries, and cultural values that shaped images like this. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.