Lillian Russell, 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 for *Virginia Brights Cigarettes*. It features a portrait of the famous American actress Lillian Russell, taken between 1885 and 1891. The card is a black and white photograph of Russell in profile, looking over her shoulder and wearing a lace shawl. The card is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These cards were given away with packs of cigarettes, making them a popular and widely distributed form of advertising in the late 19th century. They offer a glimpse into the history of American popular culture and the marketing techniques of the era.