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

This is a lithograph of Bertha Ricci, a stage actress, created as a cigarette card by Allen & Ginter in the late 19th-century United States. These cards, collected by smokers, offer insights into the commercial culture and popular entertainment of the era. The image presents Ricci in what seems to be a theatrical costume. She is holding a sword-like object while seated. Such costumes hint at the increasing celebrity of stage performers and the commercialization of fame. The Virginia Brights Cigarettes branding below her name indicates the card's primary function as advertisement. Consider the cultural context: the late 1800s saw the rise of mass media and consumer culture, as well as the gradual social acceptance of women on stage. This card reflects those trends. To truly understand it, we would consult theater programs, newspapers, and advertisements of the time, exploring the links between performance, celebrity, and commercial enterprise.