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

This late nineteenth-century card, made by Allen and Ginter, promoted Virginia Brights Cigarettes by depicting the acrobatic duo Klug and Branche. These cards were collected and traded, reflecting the burgeoning consumer culture of the United States at the time. The image itself offers a glimpse into the entertainment industry of the era, showing performers who would have been familiar to theatergoers. Note the classical column in the background, the popular, if somewhat flimsy, stage set of this era. What's also interesting is the way that actors become promoters, lending their image to sell consumer products. This hints at the shifting relationship between art, commerce, and celebrity. To understand this image better, you might research the history of advertising and the rise of mass media. Consider the lives and careers of Klug and Branche. What can their story tell us about the social conditions that shape artistic production and the public role of art in the late 1800s?