Josie Hall, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This is a card from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes by Goodwin & Company, dating back to 1887. Here, we see the representation of Josie Hall, an actress of the late 19th century. Consider the earrings she wears – simple hoops. In ancient Greece, earrings held potent symbolism, often denoting status, beauty, or even spiritual allegiance. Looking back, the image of the earring worn as a symbol of cultural identity reappears across time. Consider also how in the Renaissance, a single pearl earring worn by men signified wealth and worldliness. In Josie Hall's era, we can see the echo of these historical meanings. It is a subtle declaration of modernity and a connection to past images of beauty and grace. These symbols are not linear, but cyclical, surfacing across different eras, evolving and adapting to the cultural psyche of their time.