Card Number 29, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-1) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This small card was printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co., around the turn of the 20th century, as a promotional item for Cross Cut Cigarettes. The image is a photograph, likely mass-produced through a photomechanical process. The card’s sepia tone gives it an antique feel, but it’s worth remembering that this was a contemporary image at the time, designed to appeal to smokers. The actress depicted, swathed in a lace shawl, is meant to evoke glamour and sophistication, qualities the manufacturer hoped would rub off on their product. Consider the context of its making. The cigarette industry relied on mass production, and images like these were crucial to building brand identity. They were essentially tools of marketing, leveraging celebrity culture to drive consumption. This card, seemingly a humble artifact, speaks volumes about the rise of consumerism and the power of image-making in shaping our desires. It highlights the intertwined relationship between commerce, celebrity, and visual culture.