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

This 19th-century trade card, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series, depicts Mlle. Pozzo, a Parisian performer. Created by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, the card features a sepia-toned photograph of Mlle. Pozzo, seated in a three-quarter profile, appearing to be engrossed in reading. The card, measuring just 2 3/4 x 1 3/8 inches, highlights the burgeoning popularity of cigarette cards as a form of collectible advertising. This particular example is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.