Mabel Amber, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

Editor: This is "Mabel Amber," a cabinet card from the Actors and Actresses series, printed sometime between 1890 and 1895 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The monochrome tones give it such a dreamlike quality. What jumps out at you? Curator: Well, I see a study in aspiration and illusion, wouldn’t you agree? These cards, essentially cigarette packaging inserts, transformed everyday people into aspirational figures—like Mabel Amber, whoever she truly was. The backdrop is faintly pastoral, hinting at a life far removed from the reality of, say, a factory worker picking up a smoke. And that boa… it's practically theatrical! It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, how much of Mabel’s persona is truly her, and how much is crafted? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the level of artifice. So, it's like a miniature stage? Curator: Exactly! And photography, especially portrait photography, in that era was still playing with truth and presentation. It wasn’t just about capturing a likeness; it was about constructing an identity. You bought the cigarettes; you bought the dream. Do you notice how the card is slightly faded and sepia-toned? That adds to the antique allure and glamour of that period! Editor: That makes so much sense! I initially saw a faded photograph, but now I’m looking at a carefully constructed image designed to sell an ideal. Curator: Indeed. It reveals layers about consumer culture, identity, and even the burgeoning world of celebrity. Each glance reveals another layer to be unearthed. Editor: It’s amazing how much can be gleaned from something seemingly so simple. I will never look at vintage photographs in quite the same light again!