Mlle. Mella, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This photographic print of Mlle. Mella comes from a series of cigarette cards made by Allen & Ginter, an American tobacco company, probably in the 1880s. The image itself offers a fascinating window into the social and cultural landscape of the late 19th century. As part of a series called ‘Actors and Actresses,’ it reflects a growing public fascination with performers and celebrities. The fact that this image was printed on a cigarette card speaks to the commercialization of culture, and the ways in which advertising began to permeate everyday life. What does it mean to turn a person into a brand? To truly understand this image, one would want to delve into archives of popular theatre, advertising history, and the burgeoning world of celebrity culture. In doing so, we might begin to unpack the complex relationship between art, commerce, and society. The image itself becomes a valuable historical document, offering insights into the values, aspirations, and anxieties of a rapidly changing world.