Mortimer, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

"Mortimer," from the Actors and Actresses series, is a trade card produced by Goodwin & Company between 1886 and 1890 to promote Old Judge cigarettes. The card, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features a sepia-toned photograph of an unidentified actress, posed in a theatrical setting, possibly a dressing room. The photograph, characteristic of the Victorian era's fascination with actresses, captures Mortimer in a candid, intimate moment. These trade cards, common in the late 19th century, were often used as promotional materials for various products, and served as a form of early celebrity culture.