Verona/ Blanche Thornton/ Laura Curtis, Corsair Co./ Fannie Batchelder, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 4) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This 1885-1891 trading card features four actresses: Verona, Blanche Thornton, Laura Curtis, and Fannie Batchelder. Produced by Allen & Ginter as part of their "Actors and Actresses" series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, this card showcases the popularity of cigarette cards as a form of collectible in the late 19th century. The use of black and white photography, a common medium at the time, captures the likenesses of these stage performers and highlights the cultural influence of the theater. The card is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York City.