Card Number 258, Miss Mills, 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, produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Cross Cut Cigarettes. The card features a portrait of Miss Mills, an actress of the time, standing in a theatrical pose, likely promoting a play or performance. The card, printed in black and white, is part of the "Actors and Actresses" series (N145-2), and it's now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York City. This card exemplifies the popular use of trade cards for advertising and entertainment in the late 19th century.