Card Number 36, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This trade card from the 1880s, titled "Card Number 36, from the Actors and Actresses series," features a portrait of actress Lillian Russell. Created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Cameo Cigarettes, the card is a prime example of early advertising using celebrity endorsements. The black and white image presents Russell in a theatrical pose, holding a fan, against a backdrop of draped fabric, highlighting the popular appeal of stage performance during this period. This card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, is a valuable artifact of the 19th century cigarette industry and the world of Victorian theater.