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

This is a photograph of May Newman, from the Actors and Actresses series, which was made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards are a fascinating artifact of late 19th-century consumer culture in America. Actresses and actors were among the first celebrities in this period. They were used to endorse products like cigarettes, targeting a mass audience through glamorous associations and celebrity culture. Tobacco cards like this one offer a snapshot of the evolving relationship between commerce, art, and public image. It's interesting to consider the way institutions like advertising agencies and the entertainment industry collaborate to create desire and shape social values. To better understand this phenomenon, you could consult archives of advertising history, cultural studies, and theater ephemera. Understanding the role of visual media is essential to understanding social history.