Card 508, Conolly, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card was made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, part of a series featuring actors and actresses. Produced in Richmond, Virginia, this card speaks to the entwined histories of advertising, entertainment, and the tobacco industry in the late 19th century United States. The series itself reflects a growing fascination with celebrity culture and the increasing commercialization of leisure activities. Actresses, like the one depicted here, became idealized figures, their images circulated widely through various media, including these cigarette cards. These cards were essentially miniature advertisements, using the allure of popular performers to promote tobacco consumption. The theatrical costume and posed stance contribute to the card's visual appeal, designed to capture the consumer's attention. It's important to remember that this image, like any other, exists within a specific social and economic context. To fully understand its place in history, we can explore archives of advertising ephemera, theater programs, and business records of tobacco companies. Only then can we appreciate its significance as a cultural artifact.