Pauline L' Allemand, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is "Pauline L' Allemand", a photograph produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Part of a series depicting actors and actresses, it was a freebie included in cigarette packs. The photographic print, itself a product of industrial chemistry, is mounted on card stock. These cards were designed to stiffen the cigarette packs, preventing damage to the tobacco. But they also served as miniature billboards, using popular figures to promote the brand. Note the sepia tone, a common choice for its stability and cost-effectiveness. The image’s composition is deliberate: L' Allemand is captured in a dynamic pose, an exotic dancer perhaps. The combination of photography, printing, and mass distribution reflects a convergence of art, industry, and commerce. So, next time you light up, consider the complex networks of labor, celebrity, and consumption that bring such images into being. The material tells a story of its own.