Lotta, from the Actresses and Celebrities series (N60, Type 2) promoting Little Beauties Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products 1887

This is a promotional card for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products, featuring an actress named Lotta. In the late 19th century, such cards were commonly included in cigarette packs as a marketing strategy. Cards like this offer a glimpse into the cultural values of the time, revealing how women were portrayed and consumed within a burgeoning consumer culture. Actresses and celebrities, like Lotta, were commodified as ideals of beauty and success, enticing consumers to purchase these products. There is a tension, however, between the image of Lotta as an independent actress and her role as a symbol for commercial gain. Consider what it meant for these women to be both celebrated for their talent and used as tools to sell products. This image, like many advertising artifacts, invites us to reflect on the relationship between identity, representation, and the marketplace.