Maud Waldemere and May Danforth, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Curator: This photographic print, dating from around 1885-1891, presents Maud Waldemere and May Danforth of the Corsair Co. The piece belongs to the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) and was created as an advertisement for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Editor: Wow, it has this hazy, dreamlike quality, almost like a vintage perfume ad. Is it just me, or does the composition feel both intimate and staged, all at once? Curator: Exactly! These cards, distributed with cigarette packs, were essentially miniature portraits of popular actresses, capitalizing on their fame. They weren’t just selling tobacco, but also aspiration and perhaps even a touch of scandal. Think about the word "Corsair" in that title. It hints at adventure, illicit affairs—things these actresses might embody. Editor: Scandal sells, darling! And that explains the slightly theatrical costumes—a bit suggestive, definitely attention-grabbing for the time. Do you get the sense there's some drama unfolding between the two actresses? One looks a bit too relaxed and pale to me, could it be faintness or something? Curator: Perhaps! The prone actress could symbolize vulnerability or dependence, while the other represents support, maybe even dominance. What intrigues me is how such images shaped perceptions of female performers and, by extension, femininity itself, during that period. Editor: So, it’s more than just a cigarette ad; it's a snapshot of social attitudes about women in the public eye. Interesting. I wonder how Maud and May felt about being essentially reduced to a product endorsement. I hope they made some decent coin from it! Curator: Absolutely. It speaks volumes about how commerce intertwines with representation, creating lasting—though sometimes skewed—impressions of historical figures and cultural values. Editor: Food for thought, indeed. It makes me think about the actresses in those years. Curator: Same here. Let's move on.