Blanche Thornton/ Clara Davenport/ Florence Baker, Corsair Co./ Maud Waldemere, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 4) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card from the *Actors and Actresses* series, produced by Allen & Ginter between 1885 and 1891, features portraits of four actresses: Blanche Thornton, Clara Davenport, Florence Baker, and Maud Waldemere. The card, intended for promotion of Virginia Brights Cigarettes, displays the women's names and their respective theater companies. The small size and simple format of the card were typical of trading cards of the era, making them collectible items for consumers. This particular card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, offers a glimpse into the world of late 19th-century theater and the popular culture of the time.