Clara Poole, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a collectible trading card from the “Actors and Actresses” series by Allen & Ginter, produced between 1885 and 1891. The card features Clara Poole, an actress of the late 19th century. It is a black and white photograph with a sepia tone, showing Poole in a theatrical pose, leaning against a rustic fence. The card was created as a promotional piece for Virginia Brights Cigarettes and is a prime example of ephemera from the Victorian era. The card is currently part of the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.