From the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 4) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This sepia-toned card, part of a series by Allen & Ginter, was made to promote Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the late 19th century. These cards offered miniature portraits of popular actresses, which points to interesting intersections of celebrity culture, consumerism, and the theater as a social institution in America at this time. Looking closely, we see the actress striking a pose, arms crossed, gazing off to the side, but we don't know who she is! She's presented in what might be considered classical garb; this was a period where historical themes were fashionable in theatrical productions. The commercial function of this image can't be separated from its other layers of meaning. It speaks volumes about the social aspirations of the burgeoning middle class and the increasing power of advertising to shape them. Historical archives, theater programs, and advertising industry records would all shed more light on the cultural impact of these cigarette cards. They remind us that art is always embedded in a web of social practices and economic relations.