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

This sepia-toned image of ‘Jessika’ was produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It belongs to a series of collectible cards featuring actors and actresses. In late 19th century America, the rise of consumer culture saw tobacco companies using images of popular performers to promote their brands. These cards reflect a growing fascination with celebrity culture and the commercialisation of public image. Jessika's exoticised attire and props tap into a broader Orientalist trend in Western art and theatre. This involved appropriating and misrepresenting aspects of Middle Eastern and Asian cultures for entertainment. The card not only highlights the power of advertising, but also speaks to the cultural appropriation inherent in popular entertainment. To fully appreciate this image, we need to look into the history of advertising, theatre, and cultural representation in 19th-century America. Researching theatrical archives and advertising ephemera can reveal much about the social attitudes that underpinned its production and consumption.