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

Allen & Ginter made this card of Marcella Berg, part of the Actors and Actresses series, for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, which rose to popularity in the late 19th century, offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural values and aspirations of the time. They reflect an era where celebrity and consumerism began to intertwine. Marcella Berg is seen here with a riding crop and wearing high boots, suggesting a performative androgyny that challenges traditional representations of femininity. While the primary function of these cards was commercial, they also inadvertently captured the shifting roles and public visibility of women in entertainment. They prompt us to consider the complex interplay between gender, performance, and consumer culture. These cards not only mirror the aesthetic preferences of their time but also evoke questions about identity, representation, and the gaze. What does it mean to be both subject and object? How does the act of collecting shape our understanding of value and worth?