Vaughan, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-1) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is a promotional lithograph of the actress Vaughan, printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in the United States, as part of a series of 'Actors and Actresses' used to advertise Cross Cut Cigarettes. At the time these cards were made, cigarettes were a relatively new product and companies competed to make their brands memorable. These cards were designed to be collected and traded, and they offer a fascinating insight into the cultural values of the period. The images tapped into a growing interest in celebrity culture and made the product seem more glamorous and appealing. The fact that these cards are now in museum collections raises important questions about the relationship between art, commerce, and cultural memory. How do we decide what is worth preserving and what gets forgotten? By studying the history of advertising, along with the biographies of the actors represented, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural values that shaped the period.