From the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a "trade card" from the "Actors & Actresses" series created by Allen & Ginter in the late 19th century, produced for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards were often given away with a purchase of the brand’s cigarettes. The card features a black and white photograph of an unidentified actress, likely from a popular play of the time, posed in a relaxed pose with her arms behind her head. The trade cards showcase a snapshot of late 19th-century popular culture, and are now highly prized by collectors. This specific card is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection.