Jennie McNulty Dressed as a Wife of Borneo, China, from the set Actors and Actresses, Second Series (N71) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This is a lithograph of Jennie McNulty dressed as a "Wife of Borneo, China," created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series of collectible cards for Duke brand cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, reflect the cultural dynamics of the time, particularly around the construction and consumption of identity and race. Note the problematic labeling: "Wife of Borneo, China," which collapses geography and culture, revealing a Western misunderstanding and exoticization of non-Western cultures. McNulty, presumably a white actress, is costumed in what is meant to represent a foreign identity, speaking to the theatricality of identity itself. The emotional impact lies in recognizing the complex layers of representation and how easily cultural symbols can be appropriated and misrepresented. Consider how this image, while seemingly innocuous, perpetuates narratives of cultural otherness. How does it shape perceptions and understanding?