Mlle. Stocbette, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising *Mlle. Stocbette, from the Actors and Actresses (N145-8)*, a petite albumen photograph issued by W. Duke, & Co. around 1891 to promote their Duke Cigarettes. These collectible cards were tucked into cigarette packs as enticing inserts, sparking a craze among smokers and enthusiasts alike. Featuring the poised portrait of French actress Mlle. Stbette, this card captures the allure of theater stars, blending celebrity culture with clever marketing. Printed via the albumen process—a hallmark of 19th-century photography—this glossy 2 11/16 × 1 3/8-inch image showcases fine detail from a glass negative, coated with egg whites for sharp clarity and subtle tones. Duke's innovative series, part of the American Tobacco Company's empire, highlighted performers to glamorize their brand, turning ephemera into cultural artifacts that preserved snapshots of popular entertainment. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this card reflects how tobacco companies fueled the collecting hobby while immortalizing women in the performing arts. A tiny window into Gilded Age glamour, it reminds us of advertising's power to shape—and document—society's fascinations.

About the Artist

American Tobacco Company|W. Duke, Sons & Co. · 1826–1909

**American Tobacco Company (1890–1911)** Founded on January 31, 1890, in Durham, North Carolina, by James Buchanan Duke, the American Tobacco Company emerged from the consolidation of five major U.S. tobacco manufacturers: W. Duke & Sons, Allen & Ginter, Goodwin & Company, W.S. Kimball & Co., and Kinney Brothers. Under Duke's aggressive leadership, it rapidly achieved monopoly status, controlling...