Card Number 246, Lester, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This card of 'Lester' from the Actors and Actresses series was made around 1888 by W. Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, enticing consumers with images of popular actresses. The image presents a performer in costume, striking a pose. The actress, identified as "Lester," is presented in a way that aligns with the visual codes of commercial portraiture of the time. In the late 19th century United States, the commodification of celebrity was well underway, and the tobacco industry was quick to capitalize on the fame of performers. This card participates in a broader culture of advertising that used images of women to sell products. The actress's theatrical garb, combined with the cigarette branding, merges entertainment with consumerism. Historical research into advertising ephemera and the biographies of actresses can shed light on the cultural values circulating at the time. These cards tell us about the intertwining of entertainment, advertising, and the construction of celebrity.