May Waldron, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Editor: Here we have a print of May Waldron from the Actors and Actresses series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, dating from the late 1880s, residing at the Met. I'm immediately struck by how this very commonplace object highlights a moment of celebrity in American culture. What are your thoughts? Curator: It's a seemingly simple portrait, but you are absolutely correct. Its original function as a promotional item speaks volumes. These cards were mass-produced, included in cigarette packs to stiffen them, but also as an incentive for consumers. How does this simple photograph intersect with the world of celebrity and commerce, especially concerning the burgeoning tobacco industry? Editor: Well, clearly these cards helped sell cigarettes, so they made art accessible, but perhaps as a manipulative marketing tactic. Did people think of these as art back then? Curator: That’s a fascinating question. Think about the role of photography at this time. It was becoming more accessible, more democratized, and mass-producible. These cards circulated widely, introducing a relatively broader public to images of celebrities, particularly actors and actresses like May Waldron. The power dynamics between consumer, company, and performer become entangled. The use of "celebrity" images was not accidental. The popularity and admiration for actresses made smokers have positive connotations when buying the company's product. Editor: So, it's not just about a pretty picture; it’s about the commercialization of fame and the evolving role of imagery in consumer culture? I see this so differently now. Curator: Precisely. This seemingly unassuming cigarette card is a window into understanding the historical intersection of commerce, celebrity, and visual culture and illustrates the socio-political construction of image-making. Editor: I've gained a deeper understanding of its historical relevance and how a common item can hold so much information about society!