Actress wearing wide-brimmed blue hat with white feathers, from Stars of the Stage, First Series (N129) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1890

This is a chromolithograph trade card dating from the late 19th century, part of a series produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Honest Long Cut Tobacco. These cards, often collected and traded, offer a window into the cultural values and commercial strategies of the Gilded Age in the United States. This particular card features a portrait of an actress, adorned with a wide-brimmed blue hat, decorated with white feathers. The image suggests the increasing prominence of actresses and other stage performers as public figures. It's worth noting that the theatre at this time was a contested space, with debates around its respectability. The actress's stylish attire signals aspirational consumerism. To understand this image more fully, we can consult theatre programs, periodicals, and company records. By situating this trade card within its specific historical moment, we can better understand the complex relationship between commerce, entertainment, and social identity in late 19th century America.