Card 480, Von Hubgnert, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a lithographic card of Von Hubgnert, an actress, produced in Richmond, Virginia for Allen & Ginter's Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The image is printed on a small piece of cardstock, likely using a lithographic process, which allows for mass production. These cards were essentially promotional ephemera, included in cigarette packs to stiffen the packaging and entice consumers. The very making of this card speaks volumes about the rise of consumer culture and mass production at the time, and how images of actresses were circulated as commodities. The relatively low quality of the printing, the thinness of the card, and the disposable nature of the item all point to its intended use as a throwaway object, designed to be collected and traded. It is a fascinating example of how art and commerce intertwined in the late 19th century, blurring the lines between high art and everyday life. So next time you light a cigarette, think of the amount of labor that went into its production, and the promotional materials that went along with it.