Card 335, Lillian Walters, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trade card of Lillian Walters from the Actors and Actresses series, printed by Allen & Ginter of Richmond, Virginia, for their Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, were collected and traded, and offer a fascinating insight into the era's social values. The image of Lillian Walters provides visual codes of beauty and status of the time. The card reflects the growing commercialization of leisure and entertainment, where celebrity images were used to sell consumer products. Made in the United States, it indicates a society where advertising and brand recognition was a growing part of everyday life. The choice to represent actors and actresses also speaks to changing social attitudes, where performers were becoming increasingly admired figures. By studying company records and archives of popular culture, we can learn more about the place of this card in the social and institutional context of its time. Trade cards like these are not only miniature artworks, but also historical documents that reflect the values and structures of society.