Card Number 45, Myra Goodwin, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

"Card Number 45, Myra Goodwin" is a trade card from the "Actors and Actresses" series (N145-2) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Cross Cut Cigarettes in the 1880s. The black and white photograph depicts Myra Goodwin, an actress, in a feathered hat and a lace-trimmed blouse. The trade card's design incorporates a classic portrait format, framed with the text "Cross Cut Cigarettes," highlighting the brand's association with popular culture figures. These cards, produced by Duke Sons & Co., were a common marketing strategy during the late 19th century, leveraging celebrity endorsements to appeal to consumers. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this small, yet significant, piece of advertising history.