From the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge, Gypsy Queen, and Temple Bar Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This photographic print of an actress was produced by Goodwin & Company of New York as a promotional insert for cigarette packets. The image speaks to the growing commercialization of culture in late 19th-century America. Consider the way celebrity was being manufactured and consumed at this time. Tobacco companies were pioneers in using images of actors and actresses to market their products, tapping into the public's fascination with the stage and its performers. By associating their brands with popular figures, these companies sought to elevate their products and appeal to a broader audience. Cigarette cards like this one became highly collectible, fostering a culture of consumerism and fandom. To understand this phenomenon, historians might look at sources like advertising archives, theater programs, and social commentaries. The image encapsulates the intersection of entertainment, commerce, and popular culture in a rapidly changing society. The meaning of art, here, is contingent on this wider institutional context.