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

Allen & Ginter produced this card from the Actors and Actresses series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the late 19th century. These cards reflect the cultural fascination with actors during the rise of mass media and commercial advertising. Here, Edith Burder is captured not in a theatrical role, but in what appears to be a carefully constructed pastoral scene. The tension between her profession and its representation speaks to broader themes of identity and performance, which were particularly relevant for women in the public eye. How much control did she have over her own representation? The imagery suggests a romanticized vision of femininity, yet it also raises questions about the commodification of her image for the sake of selling cigarettes. The card offers a glimpse into the complex interplay between art, commerce, and identity in the late 19th century, and what it meant to be a woman and an actress at that time.