Josie Sadler, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card featuring Josie Sadler was made by Allen and Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards were originally included in cigarette packs in the United States during the late 19th century. These cards represent an interesting intersection of commerce, celebrity, and social values of the time. Tobacco companies sought to boost sales by including collectible cards featuring popular actresses, athletes, and other public figures. These cards served as promotional tools and also reflected and reinforced prevailing notions of beauty, fame, and success. The images can tell us a lot about the public role of actresses in the 1800s. To better understand the significance of these cards, historians delve into the archives of advertising, theater history, and social commentary. Studying these sorts of images helps us understand how the institutions of advertising and entertainment shaped American cultural values.