Card 869, Cora Tanner, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trade card from the "Actors and Actresses" series, created by Allen & Ginter between 1885 and 1891 for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The card features a portrait of actress Cora Tanner, a popular figure in the late 19th century, with the prominent "Virginia Brights Cigarettes" advertisement at the top. This card exemplifies a common practice in the era, where companies used trade cards featuring popular figures as marketing tools, effectively blending advertising with visual culture. These cards are valuable artifacts for understanding the history of tobacco advertising, popular culture, and the entertainment industry in the late 19th century.