Card 799, Irene Perry, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a card of Irene Perry, made by Allen & Ginter, part of the Actors and Actresses series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The sepia photograph, presented in a rectangular format, captures Perry in a posed portrait, adorned with intricate lace and a feathered hat, all rendered in delicate detail. The composition is carefully structured, with the subject positioned slightly off-center, drawing our eye across the frame, while the details in her costume, the lace and small pearls, suggest codes of refinement and spectacle typical of the late 19th century. The card is of a small scale. Its function as a cigarette insert reflects the commercial strategies of the time and offers insight into how images of public figures were circulated and consumed. The photograph challenges the notion of celebrity through mass production, turning the actress into a widely available commodity. This small card is a testament to the intertwined relationships between commerce, celebrity, and visual representation. It encourages us to reflect on how our understanding of cultural icons is shaped through circulation.