Card 805, Miss Emerson, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card featuring Miss Emerson was one of a series of actresses produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the late 19th century. These cards were not simply advertisements; they were cultural artifacts, reflecting and shaping the social values of their time. The idealized image of Miss Emerson, presented in a tasteful and respectable manner, speaks to the era's complex relationship with celebrity and the emerging role of women in public life. The very act of including actresses in a series of collectible cards elevated their status, yet it also commodified their image for commercial gain. Understanding this artwork requires us to consider the broader context of the late 1800s: the rise of consumer culture, the changing roles of women, and the burgeoning entertainment industry. By consulting archives, newspapers, and theatrical records of the period, we can begin to understand how this image of Miss Emerson participated in the construction of celebrity and the negotiation of social norms.