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

This trade card of Maud Randall, from the Actors and Actresses series, was produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the late 19th century. Such cards were very popular then in the United States, and they offer us insight into the social norms and consumer culture of the Gilded Age. Cards like these provide us with a glimpse of the cultural values and ideals that were being promoted at the time. Randall is depicted in theatrical garb with slightly masculine attributes. The figure is in the public eye, because she is a woman and an actress, and because she is commodified as a collectible. The image creates a sense of celebrity and aspiration, aligning the consumption of cigarettes with a world of glamour and entertainment. The images were distributed to enhance the appeal of the brand. Studying such ephemeral objects allows us to delve into the complex relationship between art, commerce, and society in the past. We might consult theater archives or advertisement databases to get a better grip on their significance.