Friese & Birke, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a photograph of performers Friese and Birke made by Allen & Ginter, used for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, sometime in the late nineteenth century. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs as collectibles, offering a novel form of advertising. The image presents Friese and Birke, likely in costume, holding hands and facing one another. These trade cards reveal a fascinating intersection of commerce, entertainment, and social culture in the late 1800s. The popularization of such cards speaks to the rise of consumer culture, which was closely linked to the expansion of mass media. The choice of actors and actresses reflects the growing popularity of theater and performance as forms of entertainment. Such ephemera provide historians with a glimpse into the tastes and trends that shaped social life. Further research into theater history, advertising practices, and collecting habits of the time would enrich our understanding of this image.