Actress wearing blue hat with pink roses, from Stars of the Stage, Fourth Series (N132) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1892 - 1893

This small card, from around 1888, printed by W. Duke & Sons, promotes 'Honest Long Cut Tobacco' and features an actress in a blue hat. This belongs to a series called 'Stars of the Stage,' and it gives us a glimpse into the popular culture of the late 19th century United States. Tobacco companies often used images of actresses to market their products, tapping into the glamour and allure associated with the theater. This card acted as a collectible, part of a set, encouraging repeat purchases. The actress, with her elaborate hat and fashionable dress, embodies the era's ideals of beauty and sophistication. The card also shows the growing commercialization of leisure and entertainment at the time. The rise of mass media and advertising created new ways to promote both consumer goods and celebrity culture. Understanding the card's place within this history requires us to look at archives of advertising, theater history, and the broader social and economic trends of the Gilded Age. The meaning of this image lies in its connection to a specific time and place.