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

This card featuring Margaret Mather, from the Actors and Actresses series, was produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the United States. The image showcases Mather in character, likely from one of her famous Shakespearean roles. What’s intriguing is how this image operates within the culture of its time. These cards, distributed with cigarette packs, were a form of advertising that tapped into the growing celebrity culture. The mass production and distribution of these images democratized access to celebrity, but it also commodified these figures, turning them into objects of consumption. The choice of actors and actresses as subjects reveals the increasing importance of the entertainment industry in American society. To understand the full picture, research into the archives of Allen & Ginter, as well as theater and advertising history is invaluable. These sources help us to understand the social conditions that shaped the production and consumption of this image, reflecting the complex interplay between art, commerce, and celebrity.