Maggie Mitchell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This sepia print of Maggie Mitchell was produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the late 19th century. Trading cards like this one were inserted into cigarette packs as collectibles and advertising. These cards reflect the rising popularity of celebrity culture and the growing commercialization of leisure in America. The image presents Mitchell, a well-known actress, as an idealized figure, a romantic vision that would have appealed to consumers. The Virginia Brights brand sought to associate its product with glamour and sophistication. It is also a reflection of the role of women in public life and the ways in which their images were used to sell products. To fully understand such an image, one would want to consider its economic context, the history of advertising, and the evolving role of women in American society. It reveals much about the intersection of commerce, culture, and representation in this period.