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

This is a trade card, a type of advertisement, featuring the actress Marie Jansen. Created by the Allen & Ginter company, known for their tobacco and cigarette products, the card was likely included in a pack of Virginia Brights cigarettes. The card, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series, showcases Jansen in a theatrical pose, holding a shepherd's crook, reflecting a potential role she played. This type of collectible card was a popular marketing tool in the 19th century, showcasing actors and actresses to promote the company's product. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York houses this piece in its collection.