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

This is a "cigarette card", a collectible card produced by tobacco companies in the late 19th century. This card from the "Actors and Actresses" series, produced by Allen & Ginter, features a profile portrait of actress May Leicester. The card, featuring the company’s logo and the name of the cigarette brand, was likely included in packs of Virginia Brights cigarettes. This artwork is a valuable example of a popular form of advertising from the late 19th century, and is considered part of the collectible trade card genre.