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

This card, part of a series issued by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, captures the actress Dora Thorne through the then-modern technology of photography. It's not just a portrait; it’s an early example of mass media, designed to be collected and traded, a small rectangle of image meant to slip into a cigarette pack and entice consumers. The sepia tone comes from the photographic process popular at the time, which involved coating paper with light-sensitive chemicals and then exposing it to light through a negative. These images were then printed in huge numbers, reflecting the burgeoning advertising industry and the rise of consumer culture. The card is thin, almost ephemeral, a testament to its intended use as a disposable commodity. The image suggests the complex intersection of entertainment, advertising, and everyday life in the late 19th century. Appreciating this card means recognizing the layers of industry, labor, and commerce that went into its creation.