Card Number 214, Mirza Orloff, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This card, produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co., is made of paper, likely printed using lithography and photomechanical techniques, mass production processes of the late 19th century. Its sepia tones and small size speak to its origins as a promotional item, inserted into packs of Duke Cigarettes. The image of Mirza Orloff, an actress, would have been one in a series, enticing consumers to collect them all. The card's materiality – thin, easily produced paper – reflects the disposability inherent in consumer culture. The photograph itself, carefully posed and printed, adds another layer to the card's meaning. Photography, still relatively new, lent an air of authenticity to the advertisement, suggesting a direct connection to the actress herself. This was enhanced by the seriality of mass produced cards. The card bridges the worlds of entertainment, advertising, and industrial production, blurring the lines between art, commerce, and celebrity. It encourages us to consider the labor and resources that went into its creation, as well as its role in shaping consumer desires.