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

This 19th-century trade card features a portrait of Attalie Claire, an actress, in a promotional campaign for Duke Cigarettes. The sepia-toned image, characteristic of the era, showcases Claire in a theatrical pose, her features rendered with a delicate, romantic sensibility. The card, produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co., is a prime example of the use of celebrity endorsements in advertising during the late 19th century. The card's diminutive size, typical of trade cards, suggests its intended distribution as a collectible, meant to be collected and admired by enthusiasts.