[Actress in profile with long hair], from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This small card featuring an actress in profile was one of many produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes around the turn of the century. These cards were made using photographic processes which were gaining popularity, and enabled mass production. This mass production mirrors the rise of consumer culture and industrialization. The sepia-toned image is printed on thin card stock, a cheap material that kept production costs low, and profits high. The subject, an actress, represents a new kind of celebrity culture fueled by mass media. The proliferation of these cards speaks to the increasing power of advertising and the commodification of fame. The actress is presented as an object of desire, furthering the consumerist message. The image itself, though small, provides a glimpse into the social and economic landscape of the time. It bridges high and low culture by using photographs in mass production to promote popular culture. In the end, it’s a reminder that even the humblest objects can tell a bigger story.