[Actress wearing crown], from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This is a promotional card from the Actors and Actresses series issued by Duke Sons & Co., featuring an actress adorned with a crown. The crown, historically a symbol of power and authority, extends back to ancient times and is associated with royalty and divinity. Consider how the crown is depicted in Byzantine mosaics, where emperors and empresses are portrayed with elaborate crowns, symbols of their divinely sanctioned rule. Even in playing cards, the King and Queen wear crowns. But here, the crown is worn by an actress, a performer, and an entertainer. This image captures a fascinating cultural shift: it is no longer just for those born into power, but for those who embody it on stage. This little card, distributed with cigarettes, speaks volumes about our collective fascination with power and celebrity, a fascination that continues to evolve through the ages.