Mlle. Montbazon, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Curator: What a find! This is an intriguing promotional piece featuring Mlle. Montbazon, a Parisian actress. It comes from the Actors and Actresses series created by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, likely printed sometime between 1885 and 1891. Editor: It has a lighthearted air. There's something undeniably coquettish about her pose, a sense of carefree amusement. It has such great charm; you might miss its hidden message. The neutral sepia tone keeps it feeling rather antique. Curator: That air is quite deliberate. Actresses, especially in promotional material, became powerful symbols. Their perceived glamour was cleverly used to elevate consumer goods. Think of it: tobacco aligning itself with beauty, talent, sophistication… a social aspiration carefully crafted! Editor: Exactly! It also taps into the power of performance, something key to actresses, but relevant to self-expression and personal identity, at the time and to us still. Her hat, like a halo, transforms an everyday moment into a sacred, ritualistic one. This card offers an appealing version of self. Curator: Good point. Cigarette cards circulated widely; they offered ordinary folks miniature glimpses into worlds they may never have entered. For women, it suggested newfound empowerment in these glamorous figures—though carefully constructed, naturally. This, in turn, promoted the cigarette brand as culturally engaged and contemporary. Editor: And note the emphasis on “Paris.” At the time, Paris represented the height of fashion, and that carried incredible weight. It created a sense of allure that was meant to be infectious, linking itself with modern feminine ideals. She stands for so much! Curator: Absolutely. This small card contains a lot! It is part of a complex intersection of celebrity, marketing, and the evolving role of women in late 19th-century society. We learn as much about society as we do the sitter, if not more so. Editor: The resonance of fleeting impressions—of fashion, fame and identity–echoes strongly to this day. Advertising is not only a business; it becomes another stage for performance.