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

Curator: This is "Edith Kingdon," from the Actors and Actresses series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, dating from around 1885 to 1891. The portrait combines drawing, photography, and printmaking techniques in a miniature format. Editor: There's a certain wistfulness to her gaze, isn't there? The sepia tones soften the whole image, and even though it's small, it has a surprisingly intimate feel. Curator: The "intimate feel" is calculated, part of the marketing strategy of Allen & Ginter, the company behind the series. These cards were included in cigarette packs. Collectability drove sales. It's interesting to consider the labour involved in producing these images at scale and the consumption habits they fueled. Editor: Indeed, it’s striking how consumer culture weaves itself into the symbolic fabric of the time. Notice the hat and the adornments, signs of aspiration, not to mention the single rose pinned to her bodice – a common symbol for romance and beauty. What does her sideways glance signify to the consumer? Curator: It signals an engagement, a personal connection the buyer can have just by owning the pack. This particular style incorporates aspects of Japonisme, mirroring the mass-produced woodblock prints of Ukiyo-e masters, making “high art” accessible to the public while selling a commodity. Editor: The Japonisme influence really jumps out now that you mention it. Her look, slightly melancholic yet captivating, is so similar to figures depicted in Japanese prints. Beyond just commercial appeal, the rose, her gaze, these details all project a complex narrative on a small scale. They speak volumes. Curator: Ultimately, though, this narrative is dictated by its purpose. Mass production flattens complexity to deliver a brand message of sophistication and aspiration connected with a specific product, using available production means. The image has inherent aesthetic appeal that belies a simple equation of supply and demand. Editor: A compelling tension. Looking at "Edith Kingdon" has broadened my understanding of how desire is shaped by both individual yearning and societal forces encoded in ubiquitous images. Curator: Absolutely. Considering the cigarette card illuminates how industry and artistry combine in objects consumed at different levels of society and perceived both functionally and culturally.