From the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a black and white photograph from the "From the Actors and Actresses series" of trading cards produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights cigarettes. Created between 1885 and 1891, the card depicts an unidentified actress in a theatrical pose. The image is a portrait of the woman, seated and gazing off to the side, with the lower portion of her body visible and accented by striped stockings. The card, like many of the "Actors and Actresses" series, was intended to be collected, and likely served to promote Virginia Brights cigarettes by associating the brand with popular entertainment. This example, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a charming reminder of the early days of American popular culture and the emerging practice of advertising through collectibles.