May Hart, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) 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 between 1885 and 1891. The card depicts actress May Hart in a pose that was likely common in the 19th-century theatre scene. The image is printed in black and white, characteristic of the printing methods of the time. This trade card, which is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, provides a glimpse into the world of 19th-century entertainment and the role of advertising in that world.