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

This is a promotional card of Marie Jansen, the actress, made by Duke Sons & Co. Notice the jewel that adorns her neck—an ornament that speaks volumes of her profession and status, doesn’t it? Jewels carry profound cultural weight, evoking a sense of allure and material wealth. A symbol as old as civilization itself, jewels have been used across cultures as emblems of status, power, and even protection, evolving in meaning from ancient talismans to modern-day fashion statements. Jewels, like the mask in ancient drama, can represent both identity and persona. Jewels have the psychological power to transform the wearer and the observer. Jansen's jewel becomes a focal point, a stage prop enhancing her presence. The continuous narrative of adornment shows how symbols evolve, yet retain their primal power to captivate and transform. This card reminds us that even the smallest image can carry a heavy load of history and human emotion, continuously resurfacing throughout time.