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

This small card, part of the Actors and Actresses series, was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes around the turn of the 20th century. At the time, the burgeoning popularity of actresses and actors was carefully managed to both attract and titillate. These promotional cards were aimed at male smokers and capitalized on the allure of female performers, often framing them as objects of desire. This image captures a moment in that constructed persona. Notice the actress’s elaborate pointed hat and carefully posed demeanor; she embodies a character, yet also signifies a broader cultural fixation with celebrity and beauty. The card thus reflects both the aspirations and the constraints placed upon women in the entertainment industry at the time. Even in its small format, the card encapsulates how images of women were carefully curated and consumed. The actress, caught between artistry and advertisement, reveals the complex negotiation of identity and representation that continues to resonate today.