May Hanley, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 6) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a carte de visite, a type of photograph popular in the 19th century, featuring May Hanley, an actress known for her work with the Corsair Co. It was produced by Allen & Ginter, a tobacco company who distributed the image as part of their “Actors and Actresses” series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The portrait shows Hanley in a theatrical pose, adorned with ornate jewelry, capturing the allure of a popular stage performer. The image provides a glimpse into 19th century entertainment and the use of commercial trade cards as a form of advertisement. This particular carte de visite, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, serves as a historical document of a bygone era.