Jennesse, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This late nineteenth-century photographic print was made by Goodwin & Company as part of a series of promotional cards for Old Judge Cigarettes. It depicts a performer named Jennesse. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs as a marketing strategy. This was a means to promote both the actress and the cigarette brand. The image of Jennesse strikes a pose that is theatrical and exotic. The cultural context for this card is rooted in a burgeoning consumer culture, which intersects with the popular entertainment of the era. The card reflects how celebrity culture and advertising were intertwined. To fully appreciate these cards, one must consider the social and economic structures that made them possible. This includes the history of advertising, the rise of mass media, and the changing role of women in society. Researching company records, advertisements, and theatrical reviews helps uncover the role these small cards played in a larger cultural landscape.