Card 766, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card, one of Allen & Ginter’s Actors and Actresses series, captures a performer raising a glass in a gesture laden with historical weight. The raised glass, a symbol of celebration, toast, and camaraderie, echoes through centuries. We see it in classical bacchanals, medieval feasts, and countless moments of communal joy. The gesture, deeply embedded in our collective memory, transcends mere conviviality. Consider how it appears in ancient Roman frescoes, where wine is offered to gods, or in Renaissance paintings where a chalice is lifted during a sacrament. The act of raising a glass becomes more than a simple toast; it's an invocation, a connection to shared human experiences, and a subconscious yearning for unity. The actress's confident gaze and the spirited gesture engage us on a deep, almost primal level. This simple act resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, yet always retains its core of shared humanity.