From the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 4) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card, made by Allen and Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, is part of a series called "Actors and Actresses." These cards, popular in the late 19th century in the United States, offer a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of celebrity culture and burgeoning consumerism. The image presents a performer, likely an actress, in what appears to be beach attire. By the late 19th century, a more relaxed attitude toward the display of the body, especially for women in performance and leisure contexts, began to emerge. The Virginia Brights brand leveraged the popularity of the stage to promote its product, embedding the image within a wider economy of desire and aspiration. Understanding the social and economic conditions that gave rise to these cards requires us to explore a range of sources, from theater histories to advertising archives. Only then can we appreciate how such images circulated, shaping perceptions of beauty, fame, and consumer identity.