Card 760, Annie Sutherland, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card, dating from the late 19th century, was made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It is a photograph of the actress Annie Sutherland, printed on cardstock. The card’s materiality speaks to its function: these cards were essentially promotional ephemera, mass-produced to stiffen cigarette packs and entice consumers. The sepia tone lends the image a nostalgic air, a style achieved through chemical processes and repetitive handling, embedding it within a culture of industrialized leisure and desire. The smooth, thin cardstock reflects a shift toward mass production and consumption in American society. Consider the labor involved, from the tobacco fields to the photographic studio and the printing press. These cards were designed to be collected, traded, and consumed, mirroring the addictive nature of the product they advertised. What does it mean to elevate a portrait into something akin to a commodity? Ultimately, this card blurs the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life. It invites us to consider how images, materials, and making processes intersect with social and economic forces.