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

This small card featuring Amy Winter, from the Actors and Actresses series, was created by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards were popular trade items in the late 19th century, revealing much about the social and cultural values of the time. The image itself, a sepia-toned portrait, presents Winter in a style that emphasizes her beauty and charm. In the late 1800s, the rise of commercial culture led to new forms of advertising, and the association of actresses with cigarette brands reflects a growing acceptance of women in public life, albeit within certain boundaries. Amy Winter, a performer, became both a symbol of aspiration and a commodity. Understanding this card requires delving into the history of advertising, the entertainment industry, and the evolving role of women. Resources such as trade publications, theater archives, and social histories can provide insight into the meanings these images held and the social structures they reflected. Art, like this card, is always contingent on its social and institutional context.