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

Editor: This is "Annie Somerville, from the Actors and Actresses series," made between 1885 and 1891 by Allen & Ginter. It looks like a photograph, a gelatin silver print that was used for advertising. I'm immediately struck by the somewhat strange staging and costuming of Annie. What’s your interpretation? Curator: It is striking, isn't it? Consider how objects accrue meaning. A cigarette card, a seemingly trivial item, becomes a vessel carrying potent cultural symbols. The representation of actresses in "exotic" attire links to a broader fascination with the Orient and the "other," reflecting colonial attitudes of the time. Editor: So, Annie Somerville isn't just a performer; she embodies something more? Curator: Precisely! Look at the sword she holds. What does that signify in this context? Is it a symbol of power, a nod to theatrical narratives, or simply a marketing ploy to associate cigarettes with adventure and allure? Editor: I guess the sword, along with the background, gives it an adventurous and exotic feel, so I can understand that, it connects to Virginia cigarettes. The more you look the more there is to read. Curator: The symbols accumulate to create cultural messaging, intentional or not. How do you think contemporary audiences might react to this imagery? Editor: I think it could feel exploitative, both to women in general and people from the Middle East. It definitely holds up a mirror to our cultural values. Curator: Indeed. A small card offering a glimpse into shifting cultural tides and the ever-evolving language of imagery. Editor: This reminds me to look beneath the surface of everyday images and recognize that it holds social meanings, something created through its time and even now.