Card 895, Eliza Weathersby, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a photograph of Eliza Weathersby, printed on a card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, produced in the United States, offered consumers more than just tobacco. They provided a glimpse into the popular culture of the late 19th century. The portrait of Weathersby, a stage actress, speaks volumes about the era's fascination with celebrity. Allen and Ginter, the company behind these cards, capitalized on this interest, turning actors and actresses into collectible commodities. It's a commentary on the burgeoning consumer culture and the rise of mass media. But these images also tell us about the social status of actresses during that time. Were they simply objects of desire, or were they figures of cultural influence? To understand this image better, we might turn to theatre reviews, biographies, and social histories of the period. Such materials offer insight into the complex interplay between art, commerce, and celebrity in the late 19th century. The meaning of a photograph like this is always contingent on the social and institutional context.