Card 681, Jennie Prince, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card, featuring Jennie Prince, was produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The sepia tone and compact format encourage an intimate viewing experience. Prince is depicted leaning pensively, creating a diagonal composition. The soft gradations of tone give form to the textures of her clothing and the ornate fabric beneath her arm. Let's consider this image through the lens of structuralism. The card presents a series of signs: the actress, the cigarette brand, and the aesthetic style, each carrying cultural meanings. It transforms Jennie Prince into a commodity, simultaneously promoting her image and the cigarettes. The composition invites a reading of her persona, constructed through pose and costume. Ultimately, the card functions as a sign within a larger system of advertising and cultural representation. It reflects an era where celebrity and commerce were becoming inextricably linked. The image is a testament to the power of visual media in shaping perceptions and desires. It is an intricate interplay of commerce, celebrity, and visual culture.