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

This is a trade card from the Actresses and Celebrities series, created by Allen & Ginter in 1887 to promote Little Beauties cigarettes, one of their tobacco products. The card features a black and white photograph of Minnie Cummings, a popular actress of the time, wearing an elaborate hat and jewelry. The card is a prime example of trade cards that were popular in the 19th century, used to advertise and promote products through engaging visuals and celebrity endorsements. This card, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is an important historical document that sheds light on the marketing strategies of the time and provides a glimpse into the life of Minnie Cummings, a notable figure in American theater.