Card Number 310, Mlle. Fraizer, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 310, Mlle. Fraizer, from the Actors and Actresses series, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Cameo Cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer us a glimpse into the era's perception and marketing of femininity. Mlle. Fraizer, a performer, is presented in a way that emphasizes her beauty and allure, aligning her image with the aspirational lifestyle the cigarette company was selling. Consider how the commodification of female images in advertising intersects with the burgeoning entertainment industry of the time. Actresses like Fraizer were becoming public figures, and their likenesses were used to promote a range of products. While this exposure provided a platform for women, it also subjected them to objectification. This card invites us to reflect on the historical commodification of women's images and the complex interplay between celebrity, advertising, and identity.