Mlle. Courvalet, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trade card, a type of advertisement, from the "Actors and Actresses" series made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The card depicts Mlle. Courvalet, a Parisian performer, holding a tambourine. The trade card is a photographic print in sepia tones that would have been distributed as part of a larger set. The card was likely intended to be collected and traded. These small cards were an inexpensive way to advertise the brand, and they were also popular collectibles in the late 19th century.