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

This is a photograph of Alex Martins from the Actors and Actresses series, produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a glimpse into the commodification of fame and identity during that era. The series highlights a tension between celebrating individual talent and reducing performers to marketable images. Alex Martins, like many actors and actresses, navigated a world where their identity was both personal and a product to be sold. What did it mean to have your face on a cigarette card? The image, circulated widely, created a dynamic between the performer, the audience, and the burgeoning advertising industry. These cards speak to the complex negotiations of identity, representation, and commerce that continue to shape our understanding of fame and self-image today.