Card Number 93, Irene Verona, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This small card, made by Duke Sons & Co., presents Irene Verona, an actress of the late 19th century, advertising Cameo Cigarettes. The most striking element is the elaborate hat adorned with feathers, a symbol of status, luxury and theatricality. Consider how feathered headdresses have appeared across time, from ancient Egyptian royalty to Renaissance court fashion, each context imbuing the feathers with different shades of meaning, power, and allure. In Verona’s era, such adornments were quintessential aspects of feminine display, hinting at aspirations and projecting an image of sophistication. However, what psychological undercurrents might these images of actresses convey? Feathers, often associated with lightness and flight, could subconsciously represent a desire for freedom or escape. Such images tap into collective desires, a longing for transformation and elevation, becoming a canvas for projection and aspiration. Like a phoenix rising, the feathered headdress is reborn, its allure ever potent.