Bessie Cleveland, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This is a promotional card for Old Judge Cigarettes, featuring actress Bessie Cleveland and was made in the late 19th century by Goodwin & Company. These cards offer a glimpse into the complex interplay of celebrity, gender, and commerce during a period of rapid industrialization and shifting social norms. Bessie Cleveland, like many actresses of her time, navigated a public image shaped by both admiration and scrutiny. As women entered the public sphere through performance, their representation in media became a battleground for societal anxieties and aspirations. Cards like these, distributed with cigarettes, blurred the lines between personal identity and commodified image. Bessie is portrayed in an idealized manner, surrounded by foliage, which contrasts sharply with the context of promoting a smoking product. This card invites us to reflect on the historical construction of femininity, the economics of desire, and the legacies of representation that continue to shape our contemporary media landscape.