Card 336, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card from the Actors and Actresses series was produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards offer a glimpse into the cultural values and commercial strategies of the late 19th century. At a time when the burgeoning advertising industry was starting to shape consumer culture, the commodification of actors and actresses as collectible items speaks volumes. The image presents an actress posed in what appears to be a theatrical costume, embodying the constructed nature of identity. The card underscores the complex interplay between performance, identity, and consumerism. Consider for a moment the lives of these actresses, often subject to intense public scrutiny and constrained by societal expectations, while also navigating opportunities for self-expression. The intimate scale of the card invites us to consider how we, as viewers, participate in the circulation and consumption of these images, and what this says about our relationship to fame, gender, and representation.