Card Number 380, Lizzie Harold, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

Card Number 380, Lizzie Harold, is a promotional card made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to advertise Cameo Cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a window into the cultural values and commercial strategies of the Gilded Age. Lizzie Harold, an actress whose name might be lost to history without this card, is presented in a theatrical pose. Her costume, and the painted backdrop, place her in the realm of entertainment and spectacle. Yet, her gaze has a directness that suggests a self-aware engagement with her role. This card isn't just about selling cigarettes; it's about selling an image of glamour and aspiration. Consider how women, particularly actresses, navigated the public eye in this period. Often objectified, they were also figures of fascination and potential empowerment. This card, then, is a complex artifact, embodying the tensions between commerce, representation, and identity in the late 19th century. It invites us to reflect on the stories we tell about women, and who gets to tell them.