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

This 1885-1891 carte de visite, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series by Allen & Ginter, depicts actress Kate Forsyth. The image, likely taken for a Virginia Brights cigarette advertisement, presents Forsyth in a theatrical pose, highlighting her elaborate costume and expressive features. As a trade card, this artwork is a fascinating example of how commercial art intersected with popular culture in the late 19th century. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this small, but significant, piece of theatrical history.