Edwin Booth in the Costume of a Roman Censor from 600 B.C., from the set Actors and Actresses, First Series (N70) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1889

This late 19th century lithograph by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is part of a series of cigarette cards depicting actors and actresses. Here we see Edwin Booth, a famous Shakespearean actor, in costume as a Roman censor. During this period, mass media intersected with celebrity culture, creating a fascination with actors’ public and private lives. Cigarette cards like this one offered a glimpse into the world of theater, but it also reveals the cultural biases of the time. Booth, a white actor, is seen performing a role associated with power and authority. Notably, Edwin Booth was the brother of John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln’s assassin. One can’t help but wonder how this family tragedy shaped the reception of Edwin Booth, whose career continued despite his brother’s infamy. This image captures not just a performance, but also the complex relationship between celebrity, family legacy, and cultural memory.