Marie Jansen, Erminie Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 6) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a photograph of Marie Jansen of the Erminie Co., which appeared on a cigarette card produced by Allen & Ginter. These cards, which were popular in the late 19th century, were a form of advertising that also served as collectibles, prefiguring modern baseball cards. The image itself gives us a glimpse into the cultural values of the time. Marie Jansen, an actress, is presented as a public figure, but also as a commodity that could be bought and sold. Cigarette cards like this one contributed to the construction of celebrity culture in the United States. The card format reveals the convergence of entertainment, advertising, and consumerism. To fully understand the cultural significance of these cards, one might consult trade publications, advertising records, and theater ephemera. The meaning of art is often deeply intertwined with its social and institutional context.