Card Number 56, Mlle. Bucelle, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This 19th-century trade card features an image of the actress Mlle. Bucelle, a promotional item for Duke Cigarettes. Issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in the 1880s, it exemplifies the use of popular culture figures in product advertising. The card's simple design, featuring Mlle. Bucelle in a theatrical pose, is a testament to the effectiveness of direct marketing in the late 19th century. The card, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the world of early cigarette advertising.