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

This small card featuring Mlle. Jaco was made around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as one of a series of collectible cards promoting Duke Cigarettes. These cards, often inserted into cigarette packs, were part of a broader marketing strategy that linked tobacco consumption with celebrity and cultural appeal. The image of Mlle. Jaco presents her in what was then perceived as exotic attire, tapping into the late 19th-century fascination with Orientalism. The Duke Company, like many businesses of the time, used imagery to create aspirational associations for their products, suggesting a connection to the glamorous world of theater and performance. Understanding this card requires looking at the history of advertising, consumer culture, and the social role of tobacco in the late 19th century. Such research helps reveal the complex ways in which art, commerce, and cultural values intersect.