Miss Violetta, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card, "Miss Violetta", was made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It’s a lithograph, a printmaking technique that allows for mass production and distribution. The surface of the card is smooth, and the image appears almost like a photograph, depicting a woman, presumably an actress, named Miss Violetta. The lithographic process involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This allows for the creation of multiple identical prints quickly and cheaply. What's fascinating here is how this production method democratized art. Suddenly, images were accessible to the masses, tucked into cigarette packs. This reflects the rise of consumer culture, where art becomes intertwined with everyday commodities, and the value of skilled labor is diminished by industrial processes. Ultimately, this card reminds us of the complex relationship between art, commerce, and society, blurring the lines between fine art and popular culture.