Card Number 538, Lulu Hesse, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is a trading card from the 1880s, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co., to promote their Duke Cigarettes. The card features a portrait of actress Lulu Hesse. The photograph, taken in a studio setting, presents Hesse in a three-quarter profile, her gaze directed toward the viewer, a subtle yet captivating presence. This collectible, a prime example of the trade card genre, combines product advertising with a portrayal of a prominent figure in the entertainment world, highlighting the cultural significance of tobacco in the late 19th century.