May Harold, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This photographic print of May Howard comes from a series made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The image is part of a set depicting actors and actresses, reflecting the rise of celebrity culture in the late 19th century United States. These cards were essentially advertisements, using popular figures to promote consumer goods. Think about how the burgeoning mass media and entertainment industries shaped public perception and created new forms of social identity. The fact that this image was distributed with cigarettes also speaks to the ways in which tobacco companies targeted different demographics. Were these cards meant to appeal to men, women, or both? What does the image of May Howard, with her theatrical costume and pose, suggest about the values and aspirations of the time? To fully understand this image, we might delve into the archives of advertising history. We can also study the biographies of performers like Howard, and explore the social and economic conditions that gave rise to both the entertainment industry and the culture of consumerism.