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

This is "Josie Hall, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes", a small card made by Allen & Ginter. The sepia tone imparts a warm, antique feel, focusing our attention on the sitter's form. The composition is strikingly simple: Josie Hall is captured in profile, her gaze directed away, lending an air of introspection. The textures, though limited by the medium, are suggested through her hair and the details of her hat. The image is structured around the interplay of light and shadow, which models her features and adds depth. Interestingly, the overt function of the card to sell cigarettes overlays a deeper commentary on celebrity and image construction. Hall's carefully constructed persona, enhanced by her attire and the controlled aesthetic of the photograph, embodies the commodification of identity. The card becomes a signifier, not just of a product but of an era's aspirations. The formal elements—the framing, the pose, and the monochrome palette—converge to create a cultural artifact that, while modest in scale, invites scrutiny of its encoded meanings.