Card Number 126, Alma Stanley, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-1) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is ‘Card Number 126, Alma Stanley,’ one of the cards from the “Actors and Actresses” series issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. These cards were immensely popular at the time, offering a glimpse into the lives and images of performers like Alma Stanley. The image reflects the objectification of women which was pervasive in advertising and entertainment during the late 19th century. Stanley’s pose and attire, while perhaps perceived as fashionable or alluring then, highlight the complex negotiations women performers had to navigate between personal expression and public expectation. Tobacco cards helped create celebrity culture, and while they provided visibility for performers, it was within a very specific, often restrictive, framework. Consider how the commodification of her image intersects with the broader societal expectations placed on women in the entertainment industry. It serves as a reminder of the historical context in which these images were produced and consumed.