Card Number 166, Lily Dupree, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 166, Lily Dupree, from the Actors and Actresses series, created around the turn of the century by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Cross Cut Cigarettes. Notice how the composition is cleverly split. The actress, Lily Dupree, is captured in a sepia-toned photograph, her gaze directed towards her reflection in a mirror. This mirroring effect creates a doubling of the subject, which complicates our understanding of the image. Is it a portrayal of vanity, or a deeper commentary on identity and representation? The texture and tones give the impression of a bygone era, a visual signifier of early commercial photography. This card exists as both a piece of advertising and a cultural artifact, reflecting the values and aesthetics of its time. The juxtaposition of commerce and art invites us to decode the layers of meaning embedded within this small, yet intriguing piece.