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

This card featuring Attalie Claire was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in the late nineteenth century as a promotional item included with their cigarettes. These cards were part of a broader marketing strategy that used images of popular actresses to appeal to consumers, linking the glamour of the stage to the act of smoking. The image of Attalie is carefully constructed to present her as both elegant and accessible. The company was not just selling tobacco; they were selling an image, a lifestyle, and a connection to the burgeoning celebrity culture. To understand this image fully, we might turn to archives of theatrical ephemera or business records of the Duke company. This helps reveal the complex interplay between commerce, culture, and the construction of identity in a rapidly changing society. The meaning of this modest card is contingent on the historical context in which it was produced and consumed.