Miss Ruth Stetson, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a promotional card featuring Miss Ruth Stetson, produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, part of their Actors and Actresses series. Cards like these offer us a glimpse into the cultural values of the late 19th century, a time when celebrity culture was burgeoning. Actresses like Stetson were idolized, and their images were used to sell all sorts of products. What does it mean to be seen in this way? Here, Stetson is captured in a theatrical pose, draped in what appears to be a classical gown. This presentation links her to both high culture and mass consumerism. It invites us to consider how women performers navigated their identities in a society that simultaneously celebrated and commodified them. These cards were collected and traded, creating a shared visual language that reflected and shaped the desires and aspirations of the time. They serve as a reminder of the complex interplay between art, commerce, and identity.