Card Number 242, Kiralfy Group, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This trade card, part of the *Actors and Actresses* series, was created in the 1880s by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. It features a portrait of two women, likely performers from the Kiralfy Group, dressed in theatrical costumes. The card is an example of a common 19th-century marketing strategy, utilizing popular culture to advertise products. The card exemplifies the visual language of advertising, blending a portrait of performers with a strong brand association through text and imagery. This artifact offers a glimpse into the commercial culture of the late 19th century.