Card Number 354, Netta Byron, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This small card, “Card Number 354, Netta Byron,” was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Cross Cut Cigarettes. The sepia tones and compact size create an intimate viewing experience, almost like a miniature portrait capturing a moment in time. Examining the composition, we see a full figure portrait where the actress is standing in front of a blurred landscape. The arrangement of her body and clothing create a play of light and shadow, the textures of her dress, hat and ruffles are highlighted by the photographic process. The image also acts as a sign within a larger cultural text. Cigarette cards were popular collectibles, functioning both as advertising and as a means of circulating images of contemporary celebrities. This reflects a late 19th-century obsession with fame and consumer culture, where an actress's image becomes a commodity, linked to the consumption of tobacco. The card functions as a token of both aspiration and accessibility, offering a glimpse into the world of entertainment while promoting a specific brand.