Card 809, Louise Paullin, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card, one of a series produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, features actress Louise Paullin in a sepia-toned portrait. The most striking element is her large hat, casting a shadow that frames her face, almost like a halo. Such hats were not merely fashion statements, but symbols of status, drawing a connection between Paullin and idealized images of women throughout history. The large hat connects to similar headwear worn by female figures in Renaissance paintings, subtly suggesting a continuity of beauty and grace. The hat, acting as a kind of aureole, creates a psychological effect, elevating the actress in the viewer’s mind, associating her with the allure of the stage. The cyclical nature of symbols is evident here; the hat, evolving from a practical item to a symbol of status, continues to resurface.