Richard Harlow, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This is a cabinet card featuring a portrait of the actor Richard Harlow, printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Duke Cigarettes brand. The cabinet card format, popular in the late 19th century, was often used to promote products through the use of celebrity endorsements. Harlow is portrayed in a theatrical pose, wearing a formal gown and holding a fan. This image, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series, was likely used in a pack of cigarettes as a collectible item, showcasing the cultural impact of smoking at the turn of the 20th century. It is now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.