Card Number 256, Alice Gordon and (?), from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-1) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is a trade card from the "Actors and Actresses" series issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in the 1880s to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. The card features actresses Alice Gorham and Miss Harper, both dressed in military-inspired attire, likely a reference to their roles in theatrical productions. The use of trade cards was a popular marketing strategy in the 19th century, allowing companies to reach a wide audience through collectible items. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this card as part of their collection of ephemera, showcasing the intersection of art and commerce.