Card 316, 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, which was produced by Allen & Ginter between 1885-1891 to promote Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The card features a bust-length portrait of an unidentified female actress. The trade card is printed in black and white, and the image has a slight sepia tone. This piece is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The small size of the card, measuring only 2 3/4 x 1 3/8 inches, is indicative of the popular format for these types of promotional items.