Card Number 168, Pauline Hall, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-1) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

"Card Number 168, Pauline Hall" is a trade card from the "Actors and Actresses" series, issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes in the 1880s. The black and white photograph depicts actress Pauline Hall in a theatrical pose, holding her arms aloft as if reaching for a banner that reads "Cross-Cut Cigarettes" which is suspended in the air behind her. The card is part of a series of collectible trade cards from the late 19th century that were used to advertise products, especially tobacco. These cards, often featuring images of actors and actresses, are examples of early forms of advertising.