Card Number 149, Lizzie Marcy, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 149, Lizzie Marcy, a promotional item from the Actors and Actresses series, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to advertise Cameo Cigarettes. In the late 19th century, as consumer culture flourished, such cards became a popular marketing tool. Here, Lizzie Marcy, presumably a performer of some kind, is presented for public consumption. Her identity is closely tied to the commodification of both her image and the cigarettes she promotes. Consider the implications of framing women as objects of desire to sell products, and the historical context of women's roles in performance and advertising. The card invites us to reflect on the dynamics of celebrity, gender, and consumerism in shaping cultural values. It's a potent reminder of how the circulation of images intersects with societal norms and individual identities.