Jane Hading, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is Allen & Ginter's "Jane Hading, Paris", a lithograph card from the Actors and Actresses series. The sepia tone gives the piece a nostalgic air, contrasting with the modernity implied by its existence as a collectible cigarette card. The composition divides the space roughly into thirds. Jane Hading occupies the main section, her figure presented in profile. A table and backdrop fill the other areas. The image is heavily detailed with small dots, giving a stippled effect which adds texture, especially noticeable on her dress. The flowers she holds soften the image, contrasting with the defined lines of her face and costume. This piece functions as a signifier of its time, commodifying celebrity and entertainment through tobacco products. The name of the cigarette brand is presented at the bottom of the card, creating a layered reading of value: Hading's fame, her representation, and the product she endorses.