Ullie Akerstrom, one of the more versatile figures of the late nineteenth-century American stage, is represented here by two complementary pieces of theatrical ephemera: an albumen cabinet card photographed by Charles Eisenmann at his celebrated Bowery studio in New York, and a chromolithographed trade card issued during her fifth annual tour under the management of Frank Charvat. Akerstrom was an actress, dancer, playwright, and vaudeville performer who wrote and starred in her own productions, including Annette, the Dancing Girl and Renah, the Gipsey's Daughter, the titles prominently featured on the trade card reverse alongside promotion for her Boston Theatre engagements.

In the Eisenmann cabinet card, Akerstrom poses in theatrical costume: a loosely fitted peasant blouse, dark patterned skirt with layered apron, and long curling hair worn loose, leaning against an ornate studio prop door amid trailing ivy. The imprint reads "Ullie Akerstrom / Eisenmann, Photo. / New-York" in decorative type along the lower mount. The trade card presents a vivid bust portrait with flowing auburn hair beneath a jeweled and striped turban, layered bead necklaces, and a red décolleté bodice with fringe, rendered in full color lithography against an olive ground; the front reads "Under the management of Frank Charvat."

Akerstrom wrote several of her own plays and performed the lead roles, and a revival of her play Miss Rosa staged in the United Kingdom featured Annie Oakley in the title role, marking Oakley's professional acting debut. Charles Eisenmann, who photographed Akerstrom for the cabinet card, was among the most prolific celebrity photographers of the era, his Bowery studio at 229 Bowery producing cabinet cards for theatrical personalities, circus performers, and public figures including Mark Twain.

The trade card reverse is printed in red on cream stock with ornate lettering and reads in full: "Fifth Annual Tour of the Popular Young Actress Ullie Akerstrom / The Winsome Little Home Favorite / Appearing In Her Own Creations & Great Boston Theatre Successes / Annette, The Dancing Girl / Renah, The Gypsy's Daughter / Etc. / New and Realistic Scenery and Handsome Costumes For Every Play / For Full Particulars See Newspapers." The Eisenmann mount reverse lists branch gallery addresses at 229 Bowery and 18 West 14th Street, New York.