Card Number 129, Lillian Russell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

W. Duke, Sons & Co. produced this promotional card of the actress Lillian Russell using sepia-toned lithography. The image presents Russell in theatrical attire, posed beside a faux classical pillar. Her costume, rich with embellishments, and the ornate pillar introduce a sense of grandeur. Consider how the composition is structured: Russell is positioned to the left, balanced by the stark, vertical text promoting "Cross Cut Cigarettes" on the right. The flatness and limited tonal range typical of lithography simplifies the forms, reducing the dimensionality of her figure and the background, making her iconic image both accessible and reproducible. The text "ARE THE BEST" on the pillar suggests a direct comparison between the actress and the cigarettes, implying that both are of superior quality. This interweaving of fame and commodity strips away any pretense, revealing how cultural icons can be repackaged as signifiers in commercial systems. Russell, through this form of reproduction, is rendered as a token, a symbol of desire and luxury, illustrating a potent blend of capitalism and representation.