Card Number 194, Lulu Hesse, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 194, Lulu Hesse, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of the "Actors and Actresses" series, used to promote Duke Cigarettes. These cards emerged during a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization, when celebrity culture began to take hold. The late 19th century was a time of immense social change, particularly for women, who were beginning to enter the workforce and public life in greater numbers. These cards were instruments which reinforced the male gaze, turning women into commodities to be consumed. Here, Hesse's pose and attire reflect the period’s idealized image of feminine innocence. The card represents both an opportunity and a constraint for Lulu Hesse, and women like her. While it offered a form of visibility and potential fame, it also confined her to a narrow representation of beauty and desirability dictated by the dominant culture. These cards not only reveal the marketing strategies of the time but also offer a glimpse into the complex negotiations of identity, gender, and commerce that shaped the lives of actresses like Lulu Hesse.