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

This 1885-1891 cabinet card by Allen & Ginter depicts actress Daisy Murdoch, part of a series of cards featuring famous stage performers. The card, likely used as a promotional item for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, presents a formal portrait of Murdoch in a seated pose, her elegant dress and hat reflecting the fashion of the period. The card, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to the enduring appeal of theatrical personalities and a window into the history of 19th-century American entertainment.