Card Number 210, Fanny Davenport, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is a black and white photograph of Fanny Davenport, an American stage actress, from the Actors and Actresses series. Created by W. Duke, Sons & Co., the cigarette company, the image is a promotional card for Cross Cut Cigarettes, part of a set of cards featuring famous performers of the late 19th century. Davenport, known for her dramatic roles in Shakespearean plays, is shown in profile, with a serious expression, highlighting the importance of acting as a form of entertainment in the late 1800s. This card, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, is a testament to the popularity of collecting these cards during the Victorian era.