Card Number 52, Lila Farrell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This is a promotional card for Cameo Cigarettes, produced around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., featuring actress Lila Farrell. It's fascinating to consider how this small, mass-produced image reflects the changing social landscape of the United States at the turn of the century. The burgeoning advertising industry, exemplified here by Duke's cigarette brand, sought to capitalize on the growing popularity of celebrities like Lila Farrell, using their images to promote consumer goods. Her theatrical costume and dramatic pose speak to the rise of popular entertainment and the increasing visibility of women in public life. This card also demonstrates the convergence of art, commerce, and celebrity culture. What does it mean when an actress's likeness becomes a commodity, circulated and consumed as part of a larger marketing strategy? To understand this image fully, we need to examine archives of advertising history, theatrical ephemera, and biographical information about figures like Lila Farrell. By exploring these resources, we can uncover the complex social and economic forces that shaped not only this artwork but also the broader cultural landscape of its time.