Milly Meyer, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This small card featuring Milly Meyer was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Duke Cigarettes, sometime between 1870 and 1920. What’s fascinating about this seemingly simple image is its insight into the cultural landscape of the time. The burgeoning advertising industry was finding new ways to connect with consumers. By associating their product with popular actresses, Duke Cigarettes tapped into the public’s fascination with celebrity culture. Notice how Meyer's attire reflects the fashion trends of the era: the elaborate hat, the tailored jacket, the emphasis on a refined image. Consider the role of photography in shaping public perception. Images like these helped to create and disseminate idealized images of beauty and success, reinforcing certain social norms. To understand this card fully, one might delve into the history of advertising, the culture of celebrity, and the social role of women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These resources help us to see how art is embedded in a complex web of social and institutional relationships.