Card Number 257, Miss Bell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is a trade card from the 1880s promoting "Cross Cut" cigarettes, featuring an image of a woman identified as Miss Bell. Part of the "Actors and Actresses" series issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co., the card is a prime example of the use of celebrity endorsements to promote consumer goods in the late 19th century. The card's simple design, featuring a photograph of Miss Bell against a blurred background, emphasizes the message "Cross Cut Cigarettes are the Best." This card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, offers a glimpse into the history of advertising and the evolution of celebrity culture in America.