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

This is a printed card, part of a series of actresses, produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the United States. These cards are fascinating documents of the developing celebrity culture of the late 19th century. The fact that images of actresses were used to sell cigarettes speaks volumes about the way that cultural institutions like the theatre and the emergent commercial world of mass media were becoming intertwined. It's interesting to note the choice of actresses as subjects; they were public figures but also figures of potential scandal, given the often-dubious reputation of the stage. By associating their product with these women, tobacco companies were subtly playing with ideas of glamour, rebellion, and aspiration. Understanding the significance of this seemingly simple card requires us to delve into the social and economic history of the time. What was the status of women in society? How did advertising work? What role did tobacco play in the American economy? These are just some of the questions that a historian might ask when trying to understand the cultural work that this image performed.