Mlle. Crogette, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Editor: Here we have a card from the "Actors and Actresses" series by Allen & Ginter, dating from the late 19th century, specifically 1885-1891. It depicts Mlle. Crogette and seems to be a photograph or photogravure, maybe even a print, judging by the slightly faded sepia tones. The way her elaborate dress contrasts with the stark backdrop is interesting. What can you tell us about this piece? Curator: This mass-produced card isn't "high art," but it's rich in information about 19th-century materiality and labor. These cards, inserted into cigarette packs, represent a convergence of industries: tobacco, photography/printing, and entertainment. The image itself isn’t just about the actress; it's about selling a lifestyle. Editor: How so? Curator: The photographic print – itself a product of industrial chemistry and labor – promotes Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It democratized images of celebrities like Mlle. Crogette for consumption by a wider audience, arguably turning the actress into a commodity, while offering workers factory jobs churning out these collectables. The very act of collecting transformed consumers into participants within capitalist economies. Have you thought about what kind of paper it's printed on, how consistent the printing quality might be, or even how the ink was made? These production considerations give insight into a system designed around consumption and access. Editor: That’s fascinating! So it’s less about her performance, and more about what her image represents within this consumer economy? Curator: Precisely. What’s crucial isn’t only Crogette's celebrity, it's about recognizing the complex web of labor and resources behind a seemingly simple image. This little card illuminates production methods, consumption patterns, and the overall commercialization of celebrity. Editor: I hadn't considered it from that perspective at all. Now I am viewing not just a portrait of a performer, but a tangible representation of industrial and social forces. Curator: And hopefully, appreciate the role seemingly humble objects play within art history!