Card 467, Estelle Clayton, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card, from the Actors and Actresses series, was printed by Allen and Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It's made from paper, printed with a photographic image of Estelle Clayton. What’s most interesting about this card is its place within a system of mass production and consumption. It’s not a portrait in the traditional sense, commissioned by a wealthy patron. Instead, it’s a product, churned out in vast quantities to be included in cigarette packs. The aim was to encourage repeat purchases by consumers who wanted to collect complete sets of cards. The card's existence speaks volumes about the changing relationship between art, commerce, and celebrity in the late 19th century. Photography made images easily reproducible, while the rise of advertising created new avenues for their distribution. This small piece of paper offers us a glimpse into the industrial processes that shaped modern visual culture, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life.