Mlle. Carmen and Franciolli, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trade card from the "Actors and Actresses" series, produced by Allen & Ginter to advertise Virginia Brights cigarettes. The card depicts Mlle. Carmen and Franciolli, two performers from Paris, France, during the late 19th century. The card is a small, rectangular piece of paper featuring a photograph of the two performers, printed in black and white. The figures are dressed in elaborate costumes and are positioned intimately with the woman on the left. Trade cards like this are a fascinating example of a popular and effective form of early advertising that combined imagery with marketing.