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

Curator: This is a portrait of Fannie Rice, from the Actors and Actresses series, published by W. Duke, Sons & Co. between 1890 and 1895. These photographs were actually promotional inserts included in packages of Duke Cigarettes. Editor: She seems ethereally captured—a ghost of glamour, almost faded into sepia tones. The light is very soft; it gives the whole image a delicate, dreamy feel. What stories do you think that era concealed behind such imagery? Curator: Certainly, it prompts consideration of the context surrounding performers like Rice during the late 19th century. Tobacco cards featuring actresses, athletes, and other public figures were highly collectible. Looking at it today through the lens of labor studies, we might consider the intersections of gender, fame, and commodification, exploring how Rice’s image was used to market a product deeply intertwined with health disparities. Editor: Yes, I am drawn to the visual vocabulary here, as well. Take her elaborate costume and pose—the outstretched arm, the feathered headpiece, even the way her gown gathers at the waist. All these are clues to constructing her persona as the feminine ideal, perhaps an echo of classical muses. The photograph does not simply capture; it actively manufactures her likeness as an icon for that generation. Curator: Absolutely. There’s a constructedness that becomes very evident when we analyze the power dynamics at play. Rice’s individual identity is partially subsumed into a promotional strategy that prioritizes the sale of cigarettes, implicating the viewer in the marketing campaign itself. Her fame, fleeting yet documented, becomes intrinsically linked with consumerism and the shaping of public desires. Editor: What's fascinating, though, is how a humble photograph tucked inside a cigarette pack managed to cement her image. These visual artifacts speak volumes about celebrity worship and aspirational culture during this period. Despite their intended purpose, they remain objects of artistry with resonating symbolism today. Curator: That is undeniable. It compels us to critically reflect on the visual legacies that continue to mold our perceptions of identity, worth, and labor across social classes. Editor: Well said. Seeing through this dual lens of art and culture really illuminates the depth of this everyday photograph.