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

This is a trade card from the "Actors and Actresses" series, produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The card features a portrait of actress Mollie Ray, who was popular in the late 19th century. Printed between 1885 and 1891, the card is a small, fragile piece of ephemera, measuring just 2 3/4 x 1 3/8 inches. The card is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and serves as a glimpse into the popular culture of the late 19th century.