Bessie Cleveland, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This black and white photograph, "Bessie Cleveland, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes", is a collectible trading card from the late 19th century. Created by Allen & Ginter, it depicts Bessie Cleveland, likely a stage actress of the time, in a simple, posed portrait. The card features a plain background with a small amount of detail around the subject, making the subject the main focus. This work is a prime example of the "carte de visite" genre, which was popular during the 19th century and became a way for people to share small portraits with friends and family.