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

This is a photograph of Kate Forsyth, part of the "Actors and Actresses" series by Allen & Ginter, created as a promotional item for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a fascinating glimpse into the era's commercial and cultural values. The series reflects the period's fascination with celebrity and the burgeoning advertising industry. Kate Forsyth, an actress of some renown, is depicted in a style that blends theatricality with classical grace, wrapped in draped fabric. The cigarette card situates Forsyth within the broader context of consumer culture. What does it mean to turn a performer into a collectible commodity? These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, incentivizing purchase and consumption. Moreover, they highlight how women, particularly actresses, were both celebrated and commodified. As viewers, we are invited to consider the complex layers of representation at play. They speak to the social and economic dynamics that shaped the world, and the people in it.