Card Number 591, Varonia, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

"Card Number 591, Varonia" is a trade card from the 1880s, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Cross Cut Cigarettes. The card features a bust portrait of a woman, possibly a popular actress of the era, and is a prime example of the use of celebrity endorsements in advertising during the late 19th century. The image is printed in black and white, creating a sense of realism and a connection with the viewer. This type of trade card, which combines a portrait with an advertising message, was common in the 1880s, reflecting the growing power of visual media in commercial culture.