Card Number 756, Lillian Russell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is a promotional card of Lillian Russell, a famous actress and singer, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series to promote Duke Cigarettes. In the late 19th century, stars like Russell were among the first celebrities, their images carefully crafted and disseminated through media like these cards. Russell, known for her beauty and talent, became an icon of femininity, embodying both the aspirations and contradictions of the Gilded Age. These cards offered ordinary people a tangible connection to fame, but they also highlight the commercialization of identity. They reflect how women, especially actresses, were marketed and consumed. Consider the dual role Russell played as both an artist and a commodity; her likeness used to sell cigarettes. The actress's image became entwined with the pleasure and habit of smoking, speaking volumes about the era's cultural values and the evolving role of women in public life.