Card Number 218, Helen Beardsley, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is a trading card from the "Actors and Actresses" series issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes in the 1880s. The card depicts actress Helen Beardsley, in a close-up bust portrait. The image is a black and white photograph with a slightly faded quality, typical of the printing techniques of the era. The card is a prime example of the use of celebrity endorsements in advertising during the 19th century, and a popular collectible today.