Dutailly, Variettees/ Gillet, Opera Comique/ Carmen, Gaitee, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 4) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This 19th-century trade card, featuring four portraits of popular female entertainers, was produced by Allen & Ginter as an advertisement for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The card, part of their "Actors and Actresses" series, depicts four women: Dutailly, Variétés; Gillet, Opéra Comique; Carmen, Gaieté; and an unidentified woman with a bird. The card exemplifies the use of celebrity endorsements in advertising during the late 19th century, where cigarette companies sought to associate their product with popular figures and create a desirable image for their brand. This card serves as a historical record of the entertainment industry of the time, offering a glimpse into the lives and careers of popular female performers.