From the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This carte-de-visite, a small photograph format popular in the 19th century, is part of a series of trading cards commissioned by the Old Judge Cigarettes company. Created by Goodwin & Company, the image depicts actress Ruth St. Denis, known for her pioneering work in American dance. The card, likely printed between 1886 and 1890, showcases St. Denis in a theatrical costume, highlighting her role in promoting the cigarette brand through collectible imagery. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this artifact, a small but significant piece of theatrical history and commercial advertising of the late 19th century.