Card Number 55, Miss Vialda, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

Curator: Well, hello there! Today, we are taking a look at "Card Number 55, Miss Vialda," one in a series called "Actors and Actresses" from the 1880s. The set was commissioned by Duke Sons & Co. to boost sales for their Cross Cut Cigarettes. Editor: Oh, interesting! My first thought seeing this is that it feels like a delicate sepia dream. Everything is so soft-edged. A curious blend of advertising and something that almost reads as sentimental. Curator: Yes! These cards functioned as miniature portraits, but also as advertisements. Notice the subtle messaging in the upper left corner: “Cross Cut Cigarettes Are the Best.” The overall impression highlights an interesting duality of fame, commercialism and beauty. Editor: It's also striking how staged it all is. Miss Vialda, presumably an actress, gazes with practiced serenity, and there's a clear attempt to position her as both alluring and wholesome, quite fitting for a promotional item I imagine! How were these actually distributed, as, like, something included in a pack? Curator: Precisely! Tucked inside each cigarette pack. These cards offered smokers a chance to collect a gallery of celebrities, encouraging brand loyalty through a captivating series of miniature portraits. Imagine, collecting icons while indulging a vice. It really is quite a clever and impactful form of visual communication! These images have now become nostalgic artifacts, telling stories of popular culture and commercial strategies of the late 19th century. Editor: What do you see when you look at this card beyond the advert aspect? Curator: It’s interesting to observe how photography here transcends mere documentation and acts as a vehicle for aspiration. Each card embodies a persona, constructing a bridge between the everyday consumer and the allure of celebrity. This, combined with Duke Sons' branding, it is really quite symbolic of the growing consumer culture during that time. I'm interested in how such objects reflect and shape collective dreams. Editor: Me too. This piece makes you think about fleeting celebrity in contrast to enduring cultural objects—it feels like we're looking through a tiny time capsule. Food for thought for the next coffee break, no?