Josephine Hall, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This is a monochrome photographic portrait of Josephine Hall, an actress in the late 19th century, from the "Actors and Actresses" series, commissioned by W. Duke, Sons & Co., to promote Duke Cigarettes. The image showcases Hall in a fashionable outfit and the portrait was likely intended to appeal to a broad audience, particularly those interested in theater and popular culture. The photograph is a prime example of a trade card, which were popular promotional items in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.