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

Editor: This is a print from Allen & Ginter dating from around 1885-1891, titled "Miss A. Boyd, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes." It looks like a sepia-toned photograph. She has a quirky pose, a mix of proper and... well, armed. What are your thoughts? Curator: It tickles me, actually! There's such a playfulness in the portrait, wouldn't you agree? She seems both elegant and like she’s about to leap into adventure – that hat, that little pistol! The cigarette card context gives it an interesting spin too. It's like they're saying smoking Virginia Brights gives you a bit of theatrical daring, hmm? Editor: A touch rebellious perhaps? And those sleeves are very puffy. Curator: Oh, absolutely! Notice, too, the composition. She is very much framed, boxed if you will, drawing all the more attention to *her* agency to resist the confines of propriety... but perhaps I'm seeing more than is there? Editor: No, that makes sense. There's a narrative tension. Do you think it was posed like that to shock or to generate an appetite for their brand? Curator: Well, certainly the aim was sales! But consider also the rise of women performers in the late 19th century and how these cards helped promote and normalize their visibility. What do you feel looking at this? What part of the actress’ attire draws your attention the most? Editor: Probably the juxtaposition of the very fancy sleeves with that old west looking hat. I hadn't considered the actress visibility factor either. I was caught up in thinking about cigarettes. Curator: See! Nuance! Next time you’re smoking a Virginia Brights, channel Miss A. Boyd and maybe the hat will appear in your mind’s eye! Editor: Haha, definitely a good thing to ponder. Thanks for the context!