Louise Leighton, from the Actresses and Celebrities series (N60, Type 2) promoting Little Beauties Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products 1887

This 1887 photograph, part of the "Actresses and Celebrities" series, depicts Louise Leighton, a popular actress of the time, and was created by Allen & Ginter to promote their "Little Beauties" brand of cigarettes. The photograph, featuring a bust-length portrait of Leighton in a light-colored dress and bonnet, reflects the photographic conventions of the period, with a focus on a clear and detailed rendering of the subject. This card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, is a fascinating example of the way tobacco companies used celebrity endorsements in the late 19th century.