Card Number 209, Vero and Clifton, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This is a trade card from the 1880s, part of a series advertising Duke's Cameo Cigarettes. It features a portrait of Vero and Clifton, two actors of the time, in a theatrical pose. The card, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series, highlights the performers' popularity and the growing use of advertising in 19th century America. The visual aesthetic is typical of the era, relying on a straightforward, clear photographic approach, with the text at the bottom adding emphasis to the commercial message. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this historical artifact, offering a glimpse into the convergence of celebrity culture and advertising in the late 19th century.