From the Girls and Children series (N64) promoting Virginia Brights Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products 1886

This trade card, part of the "From the Girls and Children series" (N64), is a promotional piece for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, manufactured by Allen & Ginter. Created in 1886, this small-format card features a young girl wearing a straw hat and red dress, sitting thoughtfully in a rural setting. The card exemplifies the use of imagery to market products during the late 19th century, utilizing a charming child to appeal to a broader audience. The card's size and visual style were common for trade cards, making it easily distributable and memorable. The artwork's historical significance lies in its depiction of consumerism and the emerging tobacco industry, while its visual charm and connection to childhood continue to intrigue audiences today.