Margaret Mather, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trade card featuring a portrait of the actress Margaret Mather, printed between 1885 and 1891 by Allen & Ginter as part of their "Actors and Actresses" series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The card is a classic example of the trade card genre and its use of celebrity endorsement to promote a product, showcasing Mather in a fashionable pose with a fan and adorned with a floral pattern, a popular motif in 19th-century fashion. The card's simple yet elegant design and the inclusion of the company's name and product highlight the card's function as a promotional item.