Card Number 116, Mrs. Langtry, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is card number 116, Mrs. Langtry, from the Actors and Actresses series, made by W. Duke Sons & Co. in the late 19th century to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. During the late 1800s, cigarette cards were used to stiffen packaging and increase brand recognition. This card features Lillie Langtry, a British actress and socialite. As a celebrity, she was one of the first to endorse commercial products, a practice that reflected the growing consumer culture of the era. It's fascinating how the card captures not just Langtry's image but also the societal values and aspirations of the time. There's the commodification of femininity, class and celebrity, as well as the representation of women as objects of desire and admiration. The card's availability with tobacco products also makes a statement about gendered marketing and the social acceptability of smoking, particularly among men, who were the main consumers of tobacco.