Card Number 110, Modjeska, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: This collotype print, "Card Number 110, Modjeska," comes from the Actors and Actresses series issued by Duke Sons & Co. sometime in the 1880s. There’s a stillness and poise about it that's quite captivating. What can you tell me about the context around images like these? Curator: This piece offers a glimpse into the intersection of celebrity, commerce, and social identity in the late 19th century. Tobacco cards like this, featuring actresses, athletes, and other prominent figures, were incredibly popular. They weren’t just advertising; they circulated and solidified images of public figures. Editor: So, it’s more than just promotion for cigarettes; it's about shaping perceptions? Curator: Precisely! Duke Sons & Co. was shrewd in tapping into the public's fascination with stage personalities. Think about what it meant to collect these images. How did the wide distribution of this image shape perceptions of Helena Modjeska, the actress shown here? Editor: I suppose collecting the cards allowed ordinary people to feel connected to fame and talent. Was there anything subversive about popularizing the image of an actress, considering potential prejudices against them at the time? Curator: Yes, depicting an actress like Modjeska also played with societal perceptions. It put female figures into wider circulation, which had some potential to shift societal norms and expectations, by bringing actresses to a wider audience. Editor: This really changes my understanding; I had thought of it simply as promotional material! Now I see how it actively engaged with celebrity culture and gendered norms of the time. Curator: Exactly. By examining the historical context of an image, and how it was circulated, we understand not just the artistic intent but the broader implications for social history and identity. Editor: Thanks for opening my eyes to the bigger picture here. It shows me how even something seemingly simple like a cigarette card can tell us so much about the past!