Card 753, Irene Verona, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trade card from the *Actors and Actresses* series produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It features a sepia-toned photograph of actress Irene Verona, dressed in a frilly, layered skirt and blouse. The card was printed between 1885 and 1891, a time when tobacco cards were popular advertising pieces. The card is an example of *trade card art*, a form of advertising that gained popularity in the late 19th century. Collectors prize these cards for their historical value and portrayal of well-known figures of the period. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City houses this particular card.