Card Number 544, Miss Kerkep, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

"Card Number 544, Miss Kerkep," is a trade card from the Actors and Actresses series issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes in the 1880s. This card features a portrait of Miss Kerkep, a prominent actress of the time, in a pensive pose, her head resting on her hand. The card is a prime example of the use of celebrity endorsements in advertising, and the inclusion of her name and card number adds to the collectible nature of this piece. The card's small size (2 11/16 × 1 3/8 in.) further emphasizes its intended purpose as a promotional item. This card is currently part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.