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

"Lilly Howard, from the Actors and Actresses series" is a trade card from the 1880s, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Duke Cigarettes. The card features a black-and-white photograph of Lilly Howard, a popular actress of the time, in a theatrical pose, perhaps from a play or performance. The card exemplifies the use of celebrity endorsements in advertising during the late 19th century, a practice that continues today. The card is a great example of trade card collecting, and is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.