Actress leaning against wooden bannister, from Stars of the Stage, Second Series (N130) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1891

This chromolithograph, part of the "Stars of the Stage" series, depicts a female actress, likely a popular stage performer of the time. The artwork, created by the tobacco company W. Duke, Sons & Co. in 1891 as a trade card to promote their "Honest Long Cut Tobacco," exemplifies the use of popular culture imagery in advertising. The actress's pose and attire, suggestive of a theatrical character, appeal to the audience's interest in entertainment while associating the brand with glamour and sophistication. This piece, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, provides a glimpse into the intersection of entertainment and commerce in late 19th-century America.