Card Number 118, Duke, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-1) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is card number 118 from the Actors and Actresses series, produced by Duke Sons & Co. in the late 19th century to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. These cards offer a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of the time. Such cards were immensely popular, reflecting a growing culture of mass media and consumerism in America. The featured actresses were celebrities of their day. They were part of a burgeoning entertainment industry that included theater and vaudeville. This image uses visual codes to create meaning. The actress’s costume, the carefully arranged pose, and the very act of mass production speak to the commodification of beauty and talent. Understanding this image requires that we look at the social conditions that shaped its production and reception. We can consult playbills, newspapers, and archival photographs. Doing so reveals the complex interplay between art, commerce, and celebrity culture in the late 19th century. These cards are not just advertisements, they are cultural artifacts that reflect the values and aspirations of their time.