Card 675, Daisy Murdoch, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a trade card of Daisy Murdoch from the "Actors and Actresses" series, created by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards emerged in the late 19th century, a time when the burgeoning advertising industry met a public fascination with celebrity. Murdoch, like other actresses featured, was commodified, her image used to sell cigarettes, which speaks volumes about the era's attitudes towards women and their roles in marketing and society. The card format shrinks her presence, yet her gaze remains, challenging the viewer. What does it mean to see a woman’s likeness circulated in this way? Does it empower or diminish her? The image reflects the complex intersection of celebrity, gender, and commerce. It offers a small window into the shifting landscapes of identity and representation, inviting us to reflect on who gets seen, how they are seen, and why it matters.