Mrs. Fred Hallen, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

Curator: Looking at this sepia-toned card photograph, “Mrs. Fred Hallen, from the Actors and Actresses series," dating roughly from 1890 to 1895, one is immediately struck by the materials used for promotion by Duke Cigarettes. Editor: Yes, there's something wistful and romantic about it. She has a soft gaze, almost as if she's confiding a secret, or perhaps mildly judging our smoking habits. Curator: Consider the implications. This small, easily pocketed image served a dual purpose: advertising tobacco consumption alongside representations of prominent actresses. Duke Sons & Co. aimed to elevate the status of their product, linking it to beauty and celebrity through this convergence of print and photography. The mass production also allowed for widespread distribution, influencing societal views on actresses and female performance within entertainment and consumerism. Editor: And how! I imagine women then seeing these actresses – like Mrs. Hallen with her rather formidable hat – and feeling inspired by the lifestyle. There’s a definite air of confidence, bordering on audacity. Curator: The choice of photography itself as the medium is also relevant. Photography granted an illusion of realism and accessibility that painting couldn’t provide in those days. Mrs. Hallen becomes attainable through a product designed for everyday use. The consumer is momentarily placed in proximity to fame and sophistication. Editor: Absolutely. Now that I observe a bit more, the lighting softens her features and even seems to accentuate the fabric and lace. She becomes as palpable as any tangible desire or longing for something out of reach. There's a theatrical quality to her presentation – almost as though the setting itself were the stage where we could project our wants. Curator: It reveals how such seemingly insignificant marketing devices could deeply impact notions surrounding performance and material culture. Examining these elements reveals the intertwining between fame and commodities. Editor: Yes, it certainly invites one to think of consumption differently - beyond surface glamor, and a bit more like theatre.