Card Number 62, Kate Castleton, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 62, Kate Castleton, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2), a promotional card for Cross Cut Cigarettes, issued by Duke Sons & Co. These cards reflect the burgeoning commercial culture of the late 19th century, a time when advertising began to permeate everyday life. Actresses, like Kate Castleton, were among the first celebrities, and their images helped to sell everything from tobacco to soap. The card is small, yet it speaks volumes about the role of women in entertainment and advertising, as well as the social norms of the period. Note the details of Castleton’s dress, which is both elegant and demure, embodying the idealized image of women at the time. Though seemingly innocuous, these cards contributed to shaping perceptions of gender and celebrity culture, blurring the lines between public and private life. This card offers a glimpse into a bygone era, inviting us to consider the complex interplay of identity, commerce, and representation.