Ada Mack, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This 19th-century trade card, featuring actress Ada Mack, is part of the *Actors and Actresses* series produced by Allen & Ginter, a tobacco company known for their collectible cards. The card showcases Mack in a theatrical pose, clad in a polka-dot dress, likely reflecting her stage persona. These cards, widely circulated in the late 19th century, represent a fascinating intersection of popular culture, advertising, and the burgeoning field of photography. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this small-scale yet significant piece of Americana, capturing a moment in time when tobacco companies utilized celebrity endorsements and collectible cards to engage consumers.