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

This is a trade card of Ida Bell, an actress, produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Look at the hat adorned with feathers – an emblem of the theater, of display, and perhaps even of a certain lightness of being. Feathers have always been a compelling symbol. Consider the ancient Egyptians, who saw feathers as divine symbols associated with Ma'at, the goddess of truth and cosmic order. And consider their recurrence in theatrical and performative contexts. The association with display, decoration, and status is palpable. The feather evolves into a visual shorthand for performance and spectacle, carrying echoes of both reverence and flamboyance. In this trade card, the feather not only situates Ida Bell within her profession, but also engages the viewer in a subconscious dialogue about beauty, artifice, and the compelling allure of the stage. It invites a deep, almost primal connection to a symbol that has, time and again, risen in the human psyche.