Blanche C. Ford, 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 Blanche C. Ford, an actress, produced by Duke Sons & Co. to advertise Duke Cigarettes. Consider the zigzag pattern adorning Blanche’s dress. We find it as far back as the geometric designs of ancient pottery. In ancient Greece, the meander was thought to symbolize the twists and turns of life, representing both mortality and immortality. As it moved through time, the zigzag became a key element in textiles and decorative arts, resurfacing prominently in the Art Deco movement of the early 20th century as a symbol of modernity and dynamism. The zigzag may represent the human subconscious—a visual echo resonating through cultural memory, a pattern reappearing across epochs. It reflects our continuous engagement with the past, subtly influencing how we perceive the present, and endlessly resurfacing to take on new meanings.