Card 673, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card was one of a series of cigarette cards produced by Allen & Ginter in the late 19th century in the USA. These cards, distributed with Virginia Brights Cigarettes, reflect the period's fascination with celebrities, particularly actors and actresses. Here, we see a portrait of an actress, likely a popular figure of the time. The image creates meaning through its visual codes: the actress's attire, hairstyle, and even the crown-like headpiece suggest a certain status and glamour associated with the stage. This image participates in the construction of celebrity culture during the Gilded Age, when consumerism and mass media were on the rise. Such cards promoted not only the product—cigarettes—but also a lifestyle of aspiration and entertainment. Understanding this image requires us to investigate the social history of celebrity, the culture of advertising, and the growing consumer market of the late 1800s. Research into theatrical archives, advertising history, and period newspapers might reveal more about the actress featured and her role in shaping public tastes. This artwork reminds us that even the most seemingly trivial images can offer insights into the social conditions that shaped their production.