Card Number 129, Miss Helen Brum, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

"Card Number 129, Miss Helen Brum" is a black and white photograph from the "Actors and Actresses" series of trading cards issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes in the 1880s. The card features a bust-length portrait of the actress Helen Brum, seen in profile. It is a good example of the use of celebrity endorsements in advertising, a common practice in the late 19th century. The image is a monochrome photograph, a popular format of the time, showing Brum in a simple, elegant dress, typical of the period. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this collectible card, a testament to the enduring appeal of these early forms of popular culture.