Card Number 36, Frankie Kemble, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is a card from the Actors and Actresses series made around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., printed using photolithography. The card features Frankie Kemble, and was made to promote Duke Cigarettes. As a mass produced object, its materiality is integral to its purpose within a growing culture of consumerism, linked to developing production processes. The photolithographic printing, allowed the company to churn out thousands of these cards, which would have been included in cigarette packs to encourage repeat purchases. The image is sepia toned, with a soft focus, creating a romanticised vision of fame. The making of such cards depended on the availability of both cheap labor for production and a culture of celebrity that made the images desirable to consumers. These cards provide a window into the connections between art, labor, and commerce in the late 19th century. Appreciating the techniques and materials helps us think critically about the relationship between art and commercialism.