Eveleen Rayne/ Laura Curtis, Corsair Co./ Florence Baker, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 4) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small, sepia-toned sheet was created by Allen & Ginter as part of a series of promotional cards for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, which became popular in the late 19th century, reflect a culture grappling with changing gender roles and the rise of the entertainment industry. The Actors and Actresses series featured women who navigated public life, performing femininity while challenging its constraints. Here, we see four figures – Eveleen Rayne, Laura Curtis, and Florence Baker, alongside a fourth unrecognizable figure. These were women who, through their performances, entered public life in ways that both upheld and subverted societal norms. What was it like for these women to have their images commodified and consumed? While these cards may seem like simple advertisements, they offer a glimpse into the complex negotiations of identity, labor, and representation that defined women's experiences at the time. These cards become poignant reminders of the gazes, expectations, and aspirations that shaped their lives.