Maud Harrison, from World's Beauties, Series 2 (N27) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is Maud Harrison, from World's Beauties, Series 2 (N27) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, a chromolithograph trading card. These cards were included in packs of cigarettes as a marketing tactic, and this one is part of a series that exoticized and commodified women. Maud Harrison’s image speaks volumes about the cultural values of the time, particularly the emphasis on idealized beauty and femininity. Placed within a pack of cigarettes, it raises questions about the representation of women as objects of desire and consumption. The details of her clothing, like the elaborate hat, reflect the fashion trends of the era, but also suggest a certain class status and privilege. What does it mean to consider Maud, not just as an image, but as a woman whose likeness was used to sell cigarettes? The emotional resonance of this image lies in the tension between its aesthetic appeal and its historical context, prompting us to reflect on the complex interplay of beauty, commerce, and representation.