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

This small portrait of Miss Carson was produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, part of a series featuring actors and actresses. Made in the United States at a time when the culture of celebrity was rapidly expanding, this image presents an interesting intersection of art, commerce, and social status. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, served as promotional items, fueling the popularity of performers like Miss Carson. The choice of actors and actresses as subjects reflects a growing fascination with the entertainment industry and the personalities that populated it. Consider the institutional context: the tobacco industry's marketing strategies, the rise of mass media, and the evolving role of women in public life. Was this image designed to appeal to a specific demographic? Did it reinforce or challenge existing social norms? By exploring these questions through archival research and cultural analysis, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex forces that shaped artistic production and consumption in the late 19th century.