Miss Madden, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card featuring Miss Madden was made by Allen & Ginter, as part of a series of cigarette cards. These small paperboard images, printed using then-modern lithography, were originally included in cigarette packs to stiffen them, but soon became collectible items. Looking closely, we can see how the mass production of images like this intersected with celebrity and consumer culture. The material itself—cheap paper, printed quickly and in large quantities—speaks to the rapid industrialization of image-making at the time. The image of Miss Madden, an actress, was easily reproduced and disseminated, turning her into a widely recognizable figure. This created a link between the glamour of the stage and the everyday act of smoking, turning the consumption of tobacco into an aspirational activity. The fact that these cards were included in cigarette packs also highlights the connection between art and commerce. The image of Miss Madden was not created for its own sake, but to sell more cigarettes. So next time you light up, consider that the images you consume might also be trying to sell you something.