Hattie Schell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This photograph of Hattie Schell was produced as one of a series of collectible cards by the cigarette company, Allen & Ginter. The image is a simple photographic print, a mechanical process that allowed for mass production. In this case, it was harnessed to sell a consumer product. Consider the labor involved: from the cultivation of tobacco to the printing of these cards, many hands contributed. The image itself is telling. Note Schell’s clothing. It speaks to the fashion of the time, and also to the aspiration of smokers to identify with celebrities. The card represents the convergence of manufacturing, marketing, and celebrity culture, reflecting a shift towards a society driven by mass consumption and mass media. So, next time you light up, consider the hidden layers of production and consumption. They are all there, implicit in a humble piece of paper like this.