Card Number 374, Julia Miner, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This promotional card for Cross Cut Cigarettes, produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co., features actress Julia Miner in costume, a visual feast for the turn-of-the-century consumer. Note the theatrical sword she holds. A symbol of power and drama, this motif transcends cultures and epochs. We see its antecedents in classical depictions of Mars, the god of war, and echoes in medieval portrayals of knights and chivalry. The sword, thus, is never just a blade; it's an emblem of authority, courage, and, dare I say, masculine prowess. Consider how the sword has morphed over time, from a tool of conquest to a symbol of honor. This transformation speaks to our collective psyche—the sublimation of aggression into something noble, even romantic. The image resonates because it taps into a deep-seated fascination with power and control, desires that lie just beneath the surface of our consciousness. The cyclical nature of symbols continues; they fade, evolve, and resurface, enriched with new layers of meaning.