Card 843, Eliza Long, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This trade card, part of the “Actors and Actresses” series, features a portrait of Eliza Long, a popular actress of the late 19th century. The card was produced by Allen & Ginter, a company known for its collectible cards featuring figures from various fields, including entertainment, politics, and sports. The card’s design, typical of the era, features a simple, formal portrait of Long. She’s depicted in a theatrical pose, wearing a top hat and holding a riding crop. This trade card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, is an interesting example of how tobacco companies used collectible cards to market their products.