Card Number 706, Miss Greenwood, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This trade card, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series, was issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in the 1880s to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. The card features a portrait of Miss Greenwood, a popular performer of the time, in a theatrical costume. The card's design exemplifies the use of celebrity endorsements and the allure of the stage to sell consumer products during this period. Its small size and simple design made it easily distributable as a form of advertising. The card is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, a testament to the enduring power of advertising and the evolution of visual culture.