Clara Davenport/ Marion Blanchard/ Maud Waldemere, Corsair Co./ Laura Curtis, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 4) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This 1885-1891 trade card features four female actors from the Corsair Company, Clara Davenport, Marion Blanchard, Maud Waldemere, and Laura Curtis. Produced by Allen & Ginter, the card is part of their “Actors and Actresses” series. It was issued to promote Virginia Brights Cigarettes, reflecting a common marketing practice of the time to include collectible cards with products. The card showcases each actor's bust, likely taken from studio portraits, printed in a sepia tone and framed in a simple border. This type of card, known as a "cigarette card," is a valuable artifact for collectors of theatrical history and ephemera.