Miss Robina, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a printed card featuring Miss Robina, one of a series of actors and actresses, produced by Allen and Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the late 19th century. These cards functioned as promotional items, inserted into cigarette packs to stiffen them and entice consumers. The image itself presents a romanticized view of celebrity, typical of the era. Miss Robina is depicted with soft features and an idealized expression, framed by what seems to be a torn paper to make the image stand out. This form of advertisement reveals much about the social and cultural values of the time. The burgeoning tobacco industry sought to associate its products with glamour, fame, and success, leveraging the popularity of stage performers to reach a wide audience. To fully understand this piece, we might consider the history of advertising, the rise of consumer culture, and the role of celebrities in shaping public desires and aspirations.