Card Number 389, Miss Gattan, 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, featuring a portrait of Miss Gattan, an actor or actress of the era. It was issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Cross Cut Cigarettes. The card is a black and white photograph, showcasing Miss Gattan standing next to a piece of furniture. The image has a simple composition with the figure positioned centrally. This trade card serves as a prime example of 19th century promotional art, showcasing the merging of popular culture and commercialism. The image of Miss Gattan, and the advertising copy, would have been meant to attract attention to the brand, associating the product with the allure of the stage. The trade card, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the world of American entertainment and advertising in the late 19th century.