Card 879, Lizzie Webster, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trade card from the Actors and Actresses series by Allen & Ginter, printed on paper for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The monochromatic sepia image, with its limited tonal range, emphasizes form and texture. The actress, Lizzie Webster, strikes a pose against a faux outdoor backdrop. The composition divides the space with her body angled from the lower right to the upper left, disrupting a straightforward reading of depth. Her attire, coupled with the theatrical setting, presents a constructed image, not a naturalistic one. The card functions as a sign, simultaneously advertising cigarettes and the actress. In semiotic terms, it operates on two levels: denotation, showing a recognizable figure; and connotation, associating her allure with the Virginia Brights brand. The card challenges established social meanings by linking consumption with celebrity and desire, reflecting broader shifts in commercial culture and representation. The flatness of the image, reinforced by the limited tonal range, underscores the card's artifice. It's a reminder that meaning is not inherent but constructed through visual language and cultural codes.