Card 190, Annie Summerfield, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card, made by Allen and Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, is one of many that features actress Annie Summerfield. The card is made of paper, and printed using photolithography. Consider the context in which this card was produced: the late 19th century, a time of booming industry and mass production. Cigarette cards like this one were a promotional item, designed to be collected and traded. This one belongs to a series depicting actors and actresses, reflecting a fascination with celebrity and performance during this period. The image itself shows Summerfield in costume, holding a sword. Mass production of this kind meant a different, larger scale of production than anything seen before. What was once a small-batch trade was quickly becoming a global industry. Cigarettes were one of the first widely available consumer products, and these cards were an essential part of their branding. So next time you light up, remember the complex history behind that little piece of paper. It's a reminder that even the most everyday objects can have a rich story to tell.