Mlle. Shery, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This small card, made by Goodwin & Company, was originally included in packs of Old Judge Cigarettes. It shows a performer named Mlle. Shery, likely printed using photomechanical processes common in the late 19th century. The image, though simple, speaks volumes about the burgeoning culture of celebrity and consumption. These cards, printed on thin paper, were essentially miniature billboards, mass-produced to promote not just cigarettes, but also the image of glamour and success associated with performers like Mlle. Shery. The card is small and cheap, reflecting the growing role of mass production in shaping social life and even people's aspirations. The proliferation of such items highlights a shift in cultural values, where fame and entertainment were becoming increasingly commodified. This was only possible due to new industrial advances, which allowed these images to become so ubiquitous. It reminds us that even seemingly trivial objects can tell compelling stories about labor, politics, and consumption.