Card Number 13, Lillian Russell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This is card number 13 from the Actors and Actresses series, crafted by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Cameo Cigarettes. The composition of the image focuses on the material and corporeal. Lillian Russell is presented in a tightly laced corset and adorned with jewelry, highlighting both the artifice of celebrity and the material culture of the era. The photograph's texture, smoothed by the printing process, contrasts with the sharp detail of Russell's attire, creating a tension between reality and representation. This tension underscores the performative nature of celebrity, hinting at the constructed image that cigarette companies were keen to promote alongside their products. The use of a semiotic system of signs helps to decode the cultural codes, revealing much about the values and aesthetics of the time. Ultimately, the card reflects a complex interplay between commerce, celebrity, and the evolving dynamics of representation in a rapidly changing world.