Mlle. Darce, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card featuring Mlle. Darce comes from a series of "Actors and Actresses" produced around 1888 by Allen & Ginter, for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Such cards were immensely popular, distributed as collectibles within cigarette packs, revealing much about the cultural values of the time. The image presents Mlle. Darce in what appears to be a theatrical costume, set against a backdrop suggestive of a stage or studio. The presence of such imagery in consumer products highlights the burgeoning celebrity culture of the late 19th century, linking theatrical performance with the everyday act of smoking. The actress’s inclusion in a series designed to promote cigarettes opens a window onto the commercialization of fame. To fully understand this image, one might research the careers of actresses like Darce, the history of tobacco advertising, and the phenomenon of collecting cards. This kind of object offers rich insights into the social life of its era.