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

This card, featuring Clara Easterbrook, was made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Though small, its impact on society was mighty. Originally distributed as trade cards within cigarette packs, this image embodies the convergence of celebrity culture and consumerism in the late 19th century. Printed using lithography, a process that allowed for mass production, the card’s sepia tones and smooth surface speak to the era's fascination with photography and its potential for capturing and disseminating images of popular figures. The card is a testament to the industrial processes that fueled the rise of advertising and the commodification of leisure. Each card served as a token of mass production, a visual shorthand that collapsed the distance between the stage and the street. It allowed ordinary consumers to acquire a piece of the glamorous world of entertainment. This little card is more than just a portrait, it is a symbol of its time.