From the Girls and Children series (N64) promoting Virginia Brights Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products 1886

This colorful lithograph, part of the "From the Girls and Children series" (N64), was created by Allen & Ginter in 1886 to promote their Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The image depicts a young woman in a fashionable dress, holding a small bird. The image is characteristic of the era’s trade cards, often used as promotional material for tobacco products. These trade cards, small in size, served as collectible items and were a popular marketing strategy during the late 19th century. The vibrant colors, detailed illustrations, and appealing imagery like the young woman and bird, successfully attracted the attention of potential consumers. Today, these trade cards hold historical significance as a reflection of advertising practices and societal trends of the period.