Card Number 117, St. Clair, 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 late 19th century featuring a portrait of actress St. Clair. Issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co., to promote their Cross Cut Cigarettes, the card is an example of advertising that blended entertainment with product marketing. The card showcases a common practice in the late 19th century of using celebrity endorsements to enhance brand recognition. The image of St. Clair, with her demure pose, is a testament to the conventions of Victorian portraiture, while the small size of the card exemplifies the collectible nature of trade cards.