Card Number 359, Nellie Chossay, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This small card, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., around the turn of the century, was part of a series to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. It features Nellie Chossay, an actress of the time, and is an artifact deeply embedded in the cultural practices of its era. The card exists within a context of burgeoning consumer culture, where the commodification of images and celebrity endorsement were emerging marketing strategies. Cards like these offered a glimpse into the world of theater, but also reinforced societal expectations of femininity. Chossay is depicted in a costume that accentuates an hourglass figure, indicative of the aesthetic preferences of the period. Yet, her confident pose, holding a cane, subtly challenges the era’s more restrictive gender norms. These cards provide a window into how identities were constructed and circulated, reflecting a mix of aspiration and representation that continues to resonate today. They speak to the complex interplay between commerce, identity, and the performance of self.