Ella Chapman, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This is a carte-de-visite of Ella Chapman, an actress, produced by Goodwin & Company as part of a series of promotional cards for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes. These cards emerged within the burgeoning culture of celebrity and consumerism in the late 19th century. They coincided with increased advertising and the mass production of images. The fact that an actress is used to promote cigarettes tells us something about the cultural associations between performance, femininity, and desire. Ella Chapman, striking a theatrical pose with a tambourine, embodies the exoticism implied by the brand name "Gypsy Queen." It is worth considering how the commodification of Chapman's image and the orientalist themes used in branding catered to the fantasies of the consumer, while also potentially limiting her agency and reinforcing stereotypes. The card invites us to consider the complex interplay between identity, representation, and commerce.