Mlle. Dreiber, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This photograph of Mlle. Dreiber, an actress in Paris, was produced for Virginia Brights Cigarettes as part of a series. The image, mass-produced on thin paper stock, speaks volumes about the intersection of celebrity, consumer culture, and industrial processes in the late 19th century. Consider the mechanics of its creation: from the photographer's studio, where Dreiber posed, to the printing press, churning out countless copies. This was a period of explosive growth in both photography and advertising, fueled by new technologies and a burgeoning market for manufactured goods. The card itself, small and easily distributed, became a vehicle for both promoting cigarettes and circulating images of popular performers. It blurred the lines between art, entertainment, and commerce, making celebrity accessible to the masses. The disposable nature of the card underscores the ephemerality of fame and the relentless churn of consumer capitalism. It prompts us to reflect on the labor involved in its production, and how these images contributed to the construction of celebrity culture.