Annie Summerville, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Editor: Here we have "Annie Summerville, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series," a photographic print produced between 1885 and 1891 by Allen & Ginter. It’s striking how this small portrait feels both posed and a bit playful. What layers do you see at play within the iconography? Curator: This image, intended for cigarette cards, captures a performer named Annie Summerville. What's initially captivating is how her theatrical costume references both historical and imagined pasts – what does it evoke for you? Editor: I’m picking up on maybe an imagined exotic "other," that feels pretty reductive today. Like a generalized 'ethnic' costume… Curator: Exactly! Notice the layers: her gaze, slightly defiant, the ornate costume referencing some idea of the "orient," blended with a performer's persona, all packaged for mass consumption. This layering becomes a symbol of cultural fascination and appropriation that still echoes today. Think of other imagery that perpetuates similar notions. What comes to mind? Editor: So much, but even just current costuming trends are frequently built from cultures far removed from the wearer. The "Corsair Co." part of the title makes me wonder if she had some “pirate” aesthetic. Curator: Indeed! The ‘Corsair’ evokes romanticised piracy, adventure and lawlessness, also hugely popular themes! Now, see how the cigarette branding itself infuses another layer? What’s being sold here isn’t just tobacco, but a fantasy linked to the image of the performer, linking desire to product. Editor: That's fascinating; each element carries this weight of cultural projection. So the layers become about aspiration as much as appreciation or understanding. I will definitely look at advertising and costuming very differently going forward. Curator: Precisely! Recognizing these layered symbols and their evolution gives us insights into not just historical attitudes, but the persistence of such patterns even now.