[Actress reading book while leaning on chair], from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This photograph, titled “[Actress reading book while leaning on chair],” is part of the “Actors and Actresses” series of trade cards issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Duke cigarettes. Created between 1890 and 1895, it features a woman dressed in a white gown leaning against a chair while reading a book. The card's sepia tone adds to the image's vintage charm and evokes a sense of nostalgia. The photograph exemplifies the use of trade cards as a marketing tool in the late 19th century, showcasing the connection between popular culture, advertising, and the emerging tobacco industry.