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

This is a carte-de-visite, a type of small photograph popular in the 19th century, from the "Actors and Actresses" series created by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It is a black and white portrait of an unidentified woman, possibly an actress, wearing a large, elaborate hat. The carte-de-visite is a small format, measuring only 2 3/4 x 1 3/8 inches, and is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. These cards were distributed as promotional materials for the Virginia Brights brand.