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

This small card, featuring Lelia Farrell, was one of a series of "Actors and Actresses" produced around 1888 by Allen & Ginter, a leading cigarette manufacturer in the United States. These cards, distributed within cigarette packs, were a clever marketing strategy tapping into the burgeoning culture of celebrity. Farrell, a stage performer, is depicted in costume, holding a tambourine aloft. The image, mass-produced through photographic means, became a token of popular culture, circulated widely amongst the smoking public. The card reflects a broader shift in the late 19th century towards consumer culture and the commodification of fame. Tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter were instrumental in shaping this landscape, using imagery to cultivate brand loyalty and associate their products with glamour and success. To fully understand this card, we can delve into the history of advertising, the rise of celebrity culture, and the social norms surrounding tobacco use. The public archives are full of such images, and tracing their dissemination reveals much about the values and aspirations of the time.