[Actress posing with foot on stool], from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This card featuring an actress was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Duke Cigarettes. The image is a photograph, likely mass-produced using albumen prints, popular at the time for their clarity and detail. The card's material—thin, processed paper—speaks volumes about its intended use: disposable advertising. Unlike a fine art photograph meant for display, this card was designed for fleeting attention, tucked into cigarette packs, collected, and traded. The image itself, though posed, captures a sense of accessibility, making the actress seem relatable to consumers. The card transforms the actress into a commodity, aligning her image with the consumption of cigarettes. This piece highlights how photography, as a burgeoning technology, became intertwined with the rise of consumer culture, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life. It reminds us to look beyond the image and consider the materials and methods behind its production, revealing the complex relationships between art, industry, and consumption.