Lillian Russell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

Goodwin & Company's "Lillian Russell," part of the Actors and Actresses series, is printed on a small promotional card for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes. Its subdued sepia tones and compact format immediately suggest a bygone era. The composition focuses on Russell, framed by a large hat adorned with feathers and a lace collar, drawing the viewer's eye to her composed expression. The card functions as a signifier of both celebrity and commodity. Russell, a well-known actress, is transformed into a brand ambassador. The formal elements – the soft focus and the delicate textures – contribute to an idealized image of femininity, a cultural code which intersects with the advertisement for the cigarettes themselves. The structural interplay between image and text reveals the card's purpose: to create desire. The name "Lillian Russell" and "Gypsy Queen Cigarettes" are not merely descriptive; they operate as signifiers within a larger semiotic system of glamour and aspiration. This simple card encapsulates how images can both reflect and construct cultural values.