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

Allen & Ginter created this small-scale card as part of a series of actresses to promote Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Actresses like Jennie Califf were among the first celebrities, and their images, distributed through products like these, contributed to a burgeoning culture of fame. What's particularly interesting is the way Califf is styled. Her clothing suggests a performative role, yet it also pushes boundaries. It challenges Victorian norms of modesty, hinting at the changing roles of women in public life and entertainment. The circulation of these cards coincided with debates about women's suffrage and their increasing presence in the workforce. While the card seems innocuous, it subtly negotiates the complex intersections of gender, performance, and commerce at the turn of the century. It is an early example of the commodification and circulation of female identity in the public sphere.