Card Number 715, Cecilia Bouffi, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This trade card, part of the “Actors and Actresses” series, features a portrait of Cecilia Bouffi, a popular actress of the 1880s. Issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Cross Cut Cigarettes, the card showcases a black and white photograph of Bouffi, dressed in a patterned garment, and includes advertising text at the bottom. The series, produced in the late 19th century, exemplifies the growing use of trade cards as a form of advertising and a reflection of popular culture. This trade card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, is a fascinating example of advertising history, connecting popular entertainment with consumer goods.