Kate Uart, Corsair Co., 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, a well-known tobacco company, in the late 19th century. The card features a portrait of Kate Uart, a performer with the Corsair Company, a popular theatrical troupe of the time. This type of collectible was widely distributed as a promotional item, and served as a way for the public to learn about performers and theatrical events. The card's sepia tones and simple composition, typical of the era, offer a glimpse into the world of late 19th-century entertainment. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses the card, a reminder of a time when cigarette cards were treasured not just for their subjects, but as small works of art themselves.