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

This is "Miss Boston", a late 19th century trade card from the Actors and Actresses series by Goodwin & Company for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes. These cards were a popular form of advertising, reflecting the growing commercialization and celebrity culture of the time. The image presents an idealized vision of white, feminine beauty. "Miss Boston" probably represents an actress, but her true identity is lost to history. She is seen in profile, in a refined pose, and her representation is striking because it reinforces the period’s aesthetic standards. She has fair skin, her hair is styled according to the latest fashion, and she wears a black choker with a pendant. These cards provide a glimpse into the complex relationship between entertainment, advertising, and social identity. The actress is a commodity, used to sell cigarettes. The image creates an emotional connection with consumers, but it also perpetuates narrow definitions of beauty and success that resonate, and haunt us, still.