Sadie Kirby, Erminie Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 6) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trading card from the "Actors and Actresses" series produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes between 1885 and 1891. The card features Sadie Kirby, an actress, in a studio portrait standing against a painted backdrop. The card, in its original size of 2 15/16 x 1 11/16 inches, is a prime example of 19th-century American carte de visite photography and a reminder of the popularity of tobacco cards as promotional tools. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, houses this collectible today.