Card 771, Annie Summerfield, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

"Card 771, Annie Summerfield" is a trade card from the *Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2)* for *Virginia Brights Cigarettes*. Created by Allen & Ginter between 1885 and 1891, the card features a black and white photograph of actress Annie Summerfield, dressed in a theatrical costume. The small, rectangular card, measuring only 2 3/4 x 1 3/8 inches, is a prime example of the collectible *trade cards* that were popular in the late 19th century, often used for advertising and marketing purposes. Today, the card is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, a testament to the enduring popularity of *vintage ephemera* and the fascinating history of *cigarette card collecting*.