Card Number 553, Fanny Rice, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is a promotional card from the Actors and Actresses series, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The sepia-toned card features Fanny Rice. Her figure is centered within a shallow pictorial space defined by what appears to be a painted backdrop. The textures are soft, and lines are blurred, creating a nostalgic and theatrical effect. Consider how the composition functions on multiple levels. The central placement of Rice draws the viewer's eye, while the backdrop suggests a stage, underscoring the performative nature of the image. In semiotic terms, Rice is not just a portrait but a signifier of celebrity and aspiration, carefully constructed to promote Duke Cigarettes. The card invites us to decode the layers of representation embedded within its small frame. It presents a world of entertainment, commerce, and visual culture. Note how these formal elements work together to create an image that speaks to the visual and cultural codes of its time, yet remains open to ongoing interpretation.