From the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card, made by Allen & Ginter, was printed as part of a promotional series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It's a photograph, a relatively new medium at the time, reproduced on a paper card. What's interesting here is the relationship between the image, the product, and the consumer. The actress, frozen in a moment of performance, becomes a commodity herself, offered as an extra incentive to purchase cigarettes. The surface of the card is smooth and matte, designed for handling, for collecting. The photographic image, in its tonal range from dark to light, flattens the actress, but also gives her a sense of realism. Consider the labor involved: the actress's performance, the photographer's skill, the printing process, and the distribution network that put these cards into the hands of consumers. This card represents a complex web of production and consumption, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life. It reminds us that even the smallest objects can tell big stories about our culture and economy.