Annie Pixley, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This black and white photograph, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series of trading cards produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes, features Annie Pixley, an American actress and singer. Dated between 1890 and 1895, the image captures Pixley in a theatrical pose, dressed in a lavish costume, emphasizing her stage presence and persona. These trading cards, created as a marketing strategy, offered a glimpse into the lives of popular entertainers, captivating the public imagination. This particular card, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, provides a visual record of Pixley's career and the era's fascination with stage performers.