Card Number 2, Miss Lillian Grubb, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: This is Card Number 2, Miss Lillian Grubb, a print from the Actors and Actresses series made in the 1880s by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It’s amazing how a simple cigarette card could contain such a detailed photographic portrait. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Well, the image is interesting, yes, but what intrigues me is the combination of portraiture with advertising. Notice how the portrait isn’t just a likeness of Miss Grubb; it also functions as an endorsement, implicitly associating her glamour with the Duke Cigarettes brand. Does that make you wonder about the nature of celebrity in that era? Editor: It does! So, she's more than just a pretty face; she represents a cultural ideal linked to the brand. It's quite a contrast to modern advertising with its diverse representations. Curator: Exactly. Consider how the composition focuses our attention on her beauty and her clothing, which speak to aspirations of elegance. The cigarettes aren't just being sold; an entire lifestyle is being marketed. The feather in her hair acts almost as a halo. Editor: A halo...for cigarettes! It seems like the association is working. The portrait almost elevates her to an iconic status, regardless of whether one actually smokes. So this seemingly simple portrait holds layers of cultural messaging. Thank you! Curator: And hopefully encourages further questioning! Advertising, and visual media more broadly, offers a unique window into the values and aspirations of a culture. The enduring fascination with beauty and fame transcends eras.