Card Number 250, Miss Butler, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is a trade card from the 1880s, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Cross Cut Cigarettes. The card features a portrait of actress Miss Butler, dressed in a theatrical costume. The image is a typical example of the carte de visite format, a popular form of photography during the 19th century. The card's small size and simple design reflect the everyday nature of trade cards, which were commonly used as advertising and promotional materials. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this historical artifact, providing insights into the history of advertising and popular culture in the late 19th century.