Dorothy Dene, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a promotional card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, featuring Dorothy Dene from the Actors and Actresses series, made by Allen & Ginter. The sepia tones and compact dimensions give the card a tactile, intimate quality. The composition is dominated by the profile of Dorothy Dene, her features softened and idealized, framed by a fur collar that adds a textural contrast. The photograph is a study in contrasts, juxtaposing the soft contours of the subject's face with the tactile richness of the fur. The slight imperfections and wear give the piece a sense of history. The card, as a semiotic object, operates on several levels. It presents Dorothy Dene as a signifier of beauty and sophistication, qualities that are then associated with the Virginia Brights brand. The cigarette card itself becomes a token, a collectible that circulates within a culture of consumption. The choice of a celebrity like Dene challenges the fixed notions of value, intertwining artistic and commercial spheres.