Nellie Dornry, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This photographic card, made by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, features the actress Nellie Dornry in costume. She is shown in a 'princely' theatrical costume with padded sleeves and knee-high boots. The garment suggests a character of nobility, but note the jester hat. This potent combination can be seen throughout the history of the stage, symbolizing trickery and deception. Consider Puck, or Robin Goodfellow, a mischievous figure in Shakespeare's *A Midsummer Night's Dream.* Or the harlequins of the Commedia dell'Arte, ever blurring the lines between comedy and chaos. This archetype reflects our deep-seated fascination with duality, where the noble and the absurd converge. As we gaze upon Nellie, are we not also drawn to the complex interplay of emotions, the delicate balance between laughter and tears, that defines the human experience? This figure speaks to a timeless exploration of human nature.