Card 481, The Sisters, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a card from the Actors and Actresses series, made by Allen & Ginter of Richmond, Virginia, for their Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Small cards like this, mass-produced in the late 19th century, offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural values of the Gilded Age. This card, titled "The Sisters," presents two young women, likely actresses, posed together in what was considered a tasteful, even classical manner at the time. But consider: Why actresses? And why on cigarette cards? These cards were designed to appeal to a broad public, suggesting that actresses, figures of public entertainment, had become acceptable, even desirable, subjects for mass consumption. We can see the burgeoning entertainment industry shaping social attitudes, using its figures to sell a habit-forming product. To understand this image, we need to look at the economic conditions, the rise of mass media, and the changing role of women in American society. It's through these lenses that we can truly appreciate the complex meanings embedded in this seemingly simple cigarette card.