Ida Bell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 7) for Dixie Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a collectible trading card from the "Actors and Actresses" series produced by Allen & Ginter for Dixie Cigarettes. The card depicts actress Ida Bell, posed against a backdrop with a dog and a fabric curtain. Trading cards were a popular form of advertising in the late 19th century, and these cards, featuring famous performers, served as a way for Dixie Cigarettes to promote their brand. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this card, which measures 2 5/8 x 1 1/2 inches. The card is a small, black and white photograph, representing a popular form of photographic reproduction at the time.