Card Number 98, Kitty Wilson, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

"Card Number 98, Kitty Wilson" was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Duke Cigarettes, around the turn of the 20th century. These cards, part of a larger series of actors and actresses, offer a glimpse into the popular culture of the time and the role of women within it. The image of Kitty Wilson, a performer, speaks to the commodification of female beauty and talent. Note how Wilson is posed and styled, embodying an idealized image of femininity designed to sell cigarettes. This was a time of increasing industrialization and urbanization, with new forms of mass media and consumer culture emerging. The representation of women in advertising became a powerful tool for shaping societal norms and desires. Consider how this card both reflects and reinforces gender roles. The actress’s image is used to promote a product, highlighting the way women’s identities were often defined by their appearance and performative abilities. These cards circulated widely, embedding certain ideas about beauty, celebrity, and the role of women into the collective consciousness. They invite us to reflect on the complex interplay between representation, consumerism, and identity.