Annie Summerville, 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 a series produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Cross Cut Cigarettes. Featuring a portrait of actress Annie Summerville, the card uses a simple sepia tone photograph to depict her in a theatrical costume. The card's design is typical of trade cards from the period, with the subject's name and the company's advertisement prominently displayed. Trade cards like this were often collected by consumers and served as a form of early advertising.