Card Number 596, Mrs. A. Maddick, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is a trade card from the 1880s, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series issued by W. Duke Sons & Co., a tobacco company, to promote their Cross Cut Cigarettes. It features a portrait of Mrs. A. Maddick, a prominent actress of the time, in profile, wearing a large hat with feathers and a flower embellishment. The card, printed on thin paper, is a small, intimate glimpse into 19th-century theatrical life and the strategies used by companies to advertise their products. The card's small size and simple design suggest it was intended for widespread distribution, perhaps included with cigarette packs or as a collectible item for fans.