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

"Mlle. Ilbert" is a trade card from the "Actors and Actresses" series produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co., between 1890 and 1895. It features a black and white portrait of a woman in a fur-trimmed garment, her eyes closed in a contemplative pose. The image is a photographic reproduction, a common technique in the late 19th century. This card was issued to promote Duke Cigarettes, highlighting the popularity of trading cards as a form of advertising. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this small, but historically significant card, providing a glimpse into the world of 19th-century performance and consumer culture.