Card 404, Kate Claxton, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card portraying the actress Kate Claxton was made by Allen and Ginter of Richmond, Virginia, as part of a series inserted into packs of Virginia Brights cigarettes. These cards were printed using a photomechanical process. The original photograph of Kate Claxton was translated into a printable image on a thin piece of card using chemical and mechanical means. The texture of the card itself is smooth and thin, designed for mass production. What is interesting here is the context: these cards weren’t conceived as precious objects but as throwaway promotional items. Yet, through the implicit value that we place upon images, these cards turned out to be more durable objects. The ready availability of images like this one democratized representation, although in a way closely tied to consumption and branding. It blurs the line between marketing and art. By understanding the social and economic context of this card, we can appreciate the complex networks of labor, production, and desire that shaped its creation and circulation.