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

This small card from a cigarette box presents us with Josie Hall, an actress of her time. It is a portrait of beauty and perhaps a symbol of aspiration for those who purchased Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Note the ribbon at her collar, fastened with a ring of pearls. The ribbon is an ancient symbol of unity and connection. From antiquity through the Renaissance, ribbons adorned figures of importance. It speaks of bonds, and in Josie's case, it binds her to the viewer as a figure to be admired and perhaps emulated. It is a visual echo of similar adornments found in Renaissance portraits of women. The pearls, symbols of purity and status, elevate this image. They evoke a collective memory, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols to connect across epochs and cultural divides. Such adornments carry emotional and psychological weight, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. It is a testament to the cyclical journey of symbols through time.