Card Number 177, E. Laboulette, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This 19th-century trade card, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series, features a portrait of E. Laboulette, a popular actress of the time. Issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their Duke Cigarettes, the card exemplifies the use of celebrity endorsements in advertising. The monochrome photograph captures Laboulette in a seated pose, with a relaxed yet elegant demeanor. The image is a testament to the artistry of photographic portraiture during this period, highlighting the subject's features and conveying a sense of her personality. The card, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides a glimpse into the world of entertainment and advertising during the late 19th century.