Helen Dauvray, from World's Beauties, Series 1 (N26) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is a lithograph of Helen Dauvray, printed by Allen & Ginter, a cigarette company in Richmond, Virginia, as part of their “World’s Beauties” series. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, a marketing tactic tapping into the Victorian era’s fascination with celebrity and beauty. Dauvray was a popular stage actress, known for her comedic roles. The card presents her as an object of admiration and desire, reinforcing societal standards of beauty and femininity during the late 19th century. Note the pearl necklace, flowers in her hair, and frilly dress which all contribute to an image of delicate, upper-class womanhood. Yet, Dauvray was also a working woman who had agency and likely experienced the limitations placed on women in theater. This image invites us to think about the complex ways in which women's identities were both celebrated and commodified, navigating fame, gender expectations, and class.