From the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a card from the "Actors and Actresses" series, made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards offer a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the late 19th century, when the burgeoning advertising industry began to intertwine with entertainment and leisure. The image captures a performer, carefully styled, gazing slightly off to the side. It’s a reminder of the role these images played in shaping public perceptions of beauty, fame, and gender. Cigarette cards like this one were not just promotional items, but also vehicles for circulating ideals about women’s roles and appearances. The actress is presented as both an individual and a commodity, reflecting the complex position of women in the public sphere at the time. Through the mass production of these cards, she became an accessible and desirable figure, reinforcing societal standards of beauty and success. The card invites us to consider the ways in which representations of women have been historically used to promote consumption and shape cultural values.