Card 290, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 4) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a card from the "Actors and Actresses" series, printed by Allen & Ginter of Richmond, Virginia, for their Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, which became popular in the late 19th century, offer a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural values of the time. The series, like many of its kind, served as a promotional tool, but also reflected the growing celebrity culture and the public's fascination with the performing arts. Note the choice of actors and actresses featured. What did they represent in terms of beauty, talent, and social status? How did these images circulate and contribute to the construction of fame? Looking at the card's design and typography, we can learn about the aesthetics and commercial strategies employed by tobacco companies. Further research into the Allen & Ginter company, the history of cigarette advertising, and the biographies of the featured actors and actresses can reveal much more about the social world in which this card was produced and consumed. The meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.