Courtney Thorpe Dressed in English Costume of the 15th Century, from the set Actors and Actresses, Second Series (N71) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This is Courtney Thorpe Dressed in English Costume of the 15th Century, a lithograph made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of their series of collectible cards packaged with Duke brand cigarettes. These cards gained popularity during a period of industrial expansion and burgeoning consumer culture. Here, an actress poses in historical garb, a moment of dramatic play frozen in time. The costume flattens history into a consumable image, indicative of how identities, like those of nationality or class, could be marketed and collected. It's fascinating to consider how these cards catered to desires for novelty and escape, especially given the social constraints and expectations placed on women during this era. Thorpe becomes both an individual and a representation of idealized femininity. These portraits offered a window into a world of performance, yet they also reinforced prevailing social norms and hierarchies. They leave us to consider the complex ways in which identity is constructed, consumed, and negotiated within the realms of popular culture.