Card 749, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 7) for Dixie Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Editor: Here we have "Card 749" from the Actors and Actresses series for Dixie Cigarettes, printed sometime between 1885 and 1891 by Allen & Ginter. It's an albumen print, which gives it that sepia tone. I'm struck by the way the image is framed with the cigarette advertising right on the bottom. What should we make of that juxtaposition? Curator: That’s an interesting point. The fact that this albumen print—a relatively new photographic process at the time—is mass-produced as a promotional item highlights the blending of art, commerce, and leisure. This card isn’t just a portrait; it's a commodity, tied to the growing consumer culture. The "actress" is being consumed just as the cigarettes are. Does that shift how you view her presentation? Editor: Definitely! I was thinking of her as an individual, but seeing it that way makes me realize she’s an image for sale, like the cigarettes. Were these actresses chosen for any particular reason, or was it purely about recognizability and sales? Curator: It's likely a combination. Recognizable faces certainly drove sales. The actresses are labor—their image, performance, and association are being bought and sold to promote the Dixie Cigarettes brand. This questions traditional boundaries of art by directly intersecting with everyday labor and consumption. And how that intersects with our ideas about gender during the late 19th century is critical. Editor: So, the card is not just a picture but also evidence of a whole system of production, labor, and even a specific view of women in that era? Curator: Precisely. Examining the materials and context opens a window into the social and economic forces at play during its creation and consumption. It’s far more than just a pretty picture. Editor: Wow, I’ll never look at these old advertising cards the same way again. It really shows the artistry of advertising, but also raises some uneasy ethical questions. Curator: Agreed, a seemingly simple photograph becomes incredibly complex when viewed through the lens of materials, production, and consumption!