Mlle. Stocbette, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes
Medium
Albumen photograph
Dimensions
Sheet: 2 11/16 × 1 3/8 in. (6.8 × 3.5 cm)
Classification
Photographs|Ephemera
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick
Accession Number
63.350.208.145.8.250
Tags
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 ×...
About the Artist
American Tobacco Company|W. Duke, Sons & Co.
**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...