Card Number 249, Ruby Melville, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This trade card, from the "Actors and Actresses" series, features a portrait of Ruby Melville. It was created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in the 1880s to promote their "Cross Cut" brand of cigarettes. The card showcases Melville in a relaxed pose, seated on a chair with her arm resting on the back. The card is part of a larger series that included portraits of other notable figures in the entertainment industry of the late 19th century. It is a fascinating example of the use of trade cards as a form of advertising and a glimpse into the world of early entertainment.