Emma Juch, 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. It features a portrait of the opera singer Emma Juch. The card showcases a sepia-toned photograph of Juch, captured in a theatrical pose, with a feathery hat, a lace collar, and a serene expression. These collectible trade cards were given away with packs of cigarettes, reflecting a popular marketing strategy of the late 19th century. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City houses this small, but significant piece of ephemera.