Card 763, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is card 763, from the Actors and Actresses series, printed by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It's a mass-produced object, an early example of chromolithography, a printing technique that uses multiple stones or plates to achieve different colors and textures. Look closely, and you’ll notice how the printing process gives the image a soft, almost hazy quality. This was achieved through layering inks, a labor-intensive process that nonetheless allowed for relatively inexpensive color reproductions. The material of the card itself is thin and lightweight, reflecting its status as a disposable promotional item. The image is a reminder of the close ties between entertainment, advertising, and tobacco consumption in the late 19th century. The actress is presented as an object of desire, packaged and sold alongside the cigarettes. We see a confluence of industries – entertainment, fashion, and manufacturing – all dependent on labor and consumption. These cards challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and everyday ephemera, highlighting the complex social and economic forces that shape our visual world.