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

This card, part of a series by Allen & Ginter, was made to be included in packs of Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, printed on thin paper stock, were essentially advertisements, leveraging popular culture to move product. Here, we see an image of Miss Cortrelli, likely a stage performer, holding a tambourine. The flat, sepia-toned printing emphasizes the image’s role as a mass-produced commodity. The focus isn't on artistic expression, but on efficient reproduction. This card wasn’t meant to last; it was disposable, designed to be collected, traded, or simply discarded. Consider the labor involved. From the fields where the tobacco was grown, to the factories where cigarettes and cards were made, and the distribution networks that brought them to consumers: this card represents a whole chain of industrial activity. The existence of these cards challenges our traditional art boundaries. They invite us to think about how images circulate, and the complex relationships between art, commerce, and everyday life.