Irene Perry as "The Humming Bird," from the series Fancy Dress Ball Costumes (N73) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This chromolithograph, from the "Fancy Dress Ball Costumes" series created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in 1889, depicts Irene Perry as "The Hummingbird." The image shows a woman with dark curly hair, dressed in a red and white costume. She wears a hat adorned with a hummingbird and holds another hummingbird in her hand. These trade cards were used as marketing for Duke brand cigarettes. The series featured famous actresses and socialites in fancy dress costumes, capitalizing on the popularity of these figures and the burgeoning trend of collecting trade cards. The bright colors and detailed illustrations, typical of the late 19th century, make the cards visually appealing. "Irene Perry as 'The Hummingbird'" is a great example of the marketing strategies used in the late 19th century and a reminder of the fascinating world of trade card collecting.