Annie Lewis, 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 tobacco company, between 1885 and 1891. The card features a portrait of Annie Lewis, a popular actress of the time, dressed in a costume likely for a stage performance. These trade cards were popular collectibles, often featuring celebrities and athletes, and were given away with purchases of Virginia Brights cigarettes. The card's small size and simple design reflect the widespread use of this type of advertising in the late 19th century. Today, these cards are considered important artifacts of the history of American popular culture and are often collected by both cigarette card enthusiasts and theater historians.