Lily Howard, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

Editor: Here we have a trade card from the Actors and Actresses series, specifically featuring Lily Howard and produced for Old Judge Cigarettes between 1886 and 1890. I find the aged, sepia tone gives it such a vintage feel, almost like peering into a bygone era. What stands out to you when you look at it? Curator: Well, consider the context. These weren’t meant for museum walls; they were tucked into cigarette packs. This was the booming era of mass media and burgeoning consumer culture. How do you think this image participated in the culture of that time? Editor: Hmm, well I suppose these cards gave everyday people access to the likenesses of famous performers...a democratizing effect maybe? It made art more available. Curator: Exactly! Think about the politics of image production. Why an actress? Why this pose? These cards shaped public perceptions of celebrity and femininity, constructing idealized images for mass consumption. What does the reference to ‘orientalism’ bring to your mind, thinking about the historical implications? Editor: That's a great point! The way she is positioned and the overall exoticized style contributes to an understanding of ‘orientalism’ at the time. It hints at larger social implications. Curator: Precisely. These seemingly simple commercial images functioned within broader cultural systems, promoting not only cigarettes, but also specific ideas about beauty, fame, and even cultural appropriation. We see it now for what it really is. Editor: That has definitely given me a richer appreciation of trade cards! Thanks so much! Curator: My pleasure. It is important to see art's intended purpose through historical and cultural lenses.