From the Actresses and Celebrities series (N60, Type 1) promoting Little Beauties Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products 1887

Editor: This is "From the Actresses and Celebrities series" dating to 1887. It was created by Allen & Ginter, using photography and printmaking. It feels so strange to see a woman's portrait used to advertise "Little Beauties" cigarettes. What's your take on this kind of artwork? Curator: This is a trading card that was included in cigarette packs. These cards weren’t just about selling cigarettes; they reflected a rapidly changing society where celebrity culture was emerging. The rise of mass media helped popularize these figures and tobacco companies eagerly used them to market their products to the wider public. What does it tell us about women’s public role that actresses are shown, rather than women politicians or professionals? Editor: That's true, actresses as aspirational figures makes perfect sense for advertisement, but does it reflect poorly on our society’s values back then? Did these cards have any real impact on women’s place in society? Curator: Well, on one hand, this illustrates how societal pressures were shaping the image of women; where they were more or less ornaments. But mass produced images like these also allowed women’s images to become widespread and accessible. So this card could have provided a talking point in parlors across the country, stimulating conversation about celebrity and social values. What do you think it tells us about consumer culture and advertising in the 19th century? Editor: I didn't expect a simple cigarette card to be such a great starting point for understanding complex historical and social themes. Curator: Exactly! Everyday images often reveal profound truths about their time. Analyzing them from multiple perspectives can offer rich insights into social and cultural dynamics.