Louise Chester, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card, part of the Actors and Actresses series, was produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It's a simple chromolithograph on card stock, a process involving transferring multiple ink layers from lithographic stones to paper. The card’s material qualities are directly tied to its purpose: mass production for widespread distribution. Chromolithography allowed for affordable color printing, making it an ideal choice for these promotional items. The texture is smooth, typical of coated card stock designed for durability and image clarity. The printing process would have been highly mechanized, reflecting the increasing industrialization of image production at the time. The creation of these cards speaks volumes about late 19th-century society. Labor was divided, with different workers handling various stages of production. The commodification of images and celebrity culture is evident, as the cards were designed to entice consumers to purchase cigarettes. The artistry lies not just in the portrait itself, but in the efficient and scalable process that brought it to the masses. Considering the materials, making, and social context allows us to understand the full meaning of this seemingly simple card, revealing its connections to industry, labor, and popular culture.