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

This 1885-1891 card, “Fugere, Paris”, was part of the “Actors and Actresses” series produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The series featured a collection of performers, presented in small, portrait-like formats. This particular card depicts the entertainer Fugere in a humorous pose, wearing a comical, oversized costume. The card’s small size, typical of this type of trade card, and its inclusion of the Virginia Brights Cigarettes logo indicates its intended purpose as an advertising collectible. These cards, often given away with tobacco products, were popular with collectors of the day, and today are valuable historical artifacts offering insight into the cultural practices of the late 19th century.