Card Number 766, Theo, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is a trade card featuring a portrait of the actress Theo. Created in the 1880s by the tobacco company W. Duke, Sons & Co., it served as promotional material for their Duke Cigarettes. The card, printed in sepia tones, captures Theo in a close-up portrait, emphasizing her long, flowing hair and a delicate flower arrangement adorning her head. The simple composition of the image and the use of a trade card format were common in the late 19th century, reflecting the commercialization of popular culture and the growing use of celebrity endorsements in advertising. This trade card is a fascinating glimpse into the world of 19th-century theater and the marketing strategies employed by the tobacco industry.