Card 707, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trading card featuring an unidentified woman, part of the Actors and Actresses series, which was produced by Allen & Ginter, a tobacco company, between 1885 and 1891. The sepia-toned photograph shows the woman with a pensive expression, holding her chin. Her ornate hairstyle and clothing suggest she is an actress. The card's design and the inclusion of the company logo indicate it was intended as a promotional tool for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, and it is now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The card was printed as part of a series of cards featuring prominent actresses, which were included in packs of cigarettes to encourage customers to purchase the product. This piece serves as a fascinating look into the history of advertising, trade cards, and the use of celebrities to endorse products.