Card Number 758, Miss Mulvey, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This card from Duke Sons & Co., produced to promote Cameo Cigarettes, presents Miss Mulvey, an actress of the time. The cameo, after which the cigarettes are named, features prominently on the card, resting below Miss Mulvey as she poses elegantly. The cameo itself is an interesting symbol. Historically, cameos date back to ancient Greece and Rome, where they were often used to depict gods, heroes, and portraits of important figures. The cameo in this image invokes a sense of classical beauty and timelessness, suggesting a connection to this rich artistic and historical tradition. One can trace the cameo motif through the ages, from classical jewelry to Renaissance portraiture, where its display often signified wealth and sophistication. Here, its evolution into a mass-produced commercial image signals a democratization of the symbolic association with high culture. This cyclical return and adaptation of symbols speak to our collective memory, constantly reshaping their significance.