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

This cabinet card features Sadie Martinot, an actress, from the "Actors and Actresses" series of trading cards produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards were included in packs of cigarettes in the late 19th century, a common marketing practice at the time. The card features a formal portrait of Martinot, dressed in fashionable attire of the era, holding a small dog. The card is a prime example of a "trade card", a type of advertising card used to promote products during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This card, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides a glimpse into the history of advertising and the popular culture of late 19th century America.