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

This is a collectible "trade card" featuring actress Myra Barnes, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes between 1885 and 1891. The sepia-toned photograph captures Barnes casually seated on a swing, a popular pose for portraiture of the era. The small size of the card, typical of trade cards of the time, reflects its intended purpose as a promotional item, meant to be collected by consumers of the Virginia Brights brand. This particular card is a valuable artifact of both the history of American theater and the evolution of advertising during the late 19th century.