Miss Worth, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This small image is a promotional card for Old Judge Cigarettes, part of a series featuring actors and actresses, made by Goodwin & Company. These cards offer a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the late 19th century, when the burgeoning advertising industry began to capitalize on the popularity of stage performers. Here, Miss Worth is captured in costume, perhaps alluding to a specific role she played. The plaid pattern of her apron-like dress and the ribbons that frame her face soften the image and complicate the narrative of the ‘working woman’ on stage, and for sale on a cigarette card. The image of Miss Worth, reproduced en masse and distributed with tobacco products, speaks to the commodification of identity and the intersections of entertainment, consumerism, and gender in this period. These cards also offer invaluable documentation of the diverse performers who graced the stage during a time when the theater was a central form of entertainment. They serve as a material reminder of the people who shaped the cultural landscape.