Lillie Howard, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 6) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a small promotional card of Lillie Howard of the Corsair Co., made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The sepia tone flattens the scene, lending it a classical, almost sculptural quality. Howard's form emerges softly from the backdrop, her dress a cascade of lace and floral design, and her hair styled in intricate waves. The composition balances her serene gaze with the stark presence of a bird perched on her shoulder, creating a visual tension. This placement isn't merely decorative; it invites questions about performance and authenticity. Howard, an actress, is presented with a wild creature, posing questions of naturalness against the constructed artifice of theater. The card, distributed with cigarettes, commodifies this image, turning it into a collectable, a semiotic signifier of taste and aspiration. We can consider how such a card challenges fixed notions of artistic value.