Nonnie Palmer, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This late 19th-century card featuring Nonnie Palmer was created by Goodwin & Company as part of a series of actors and actresses included in Gypsy Queen Cigarettes. These cards functioned as advertising, but also reflected the growing celebrity culture of the time. In the United States, the late 1800s were a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization, marked by new forms of mass media and entertainment. Theatre and vaudeville became increasingly popular, and performers like Nonnie Palmer gained public recognition. Cigarette card series like this one helped to promote both the performers and the tobacco brands, creating a symbiotic relationship between commerce and culture. The cards also tell us about a specific cultural moment. Actresses’ likenesses were used to sell cigarettes, revealing the way in which women's images were circulated as commodities. Analyzing this card requires historical research, including examining theatre programs, advertisements, and census records. By understanding the card’s historical context, we can better understand the complex social and economic forces that shaped American culture at the turn of the century.