Agnes Herndon, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This is a small card of actress Agnes Herndon, printed in the United States as part of a series of collectible cards included in Gypsy Queen Cigarettes packs. The practice of including collectible cards with commercial products became popular in the late 19th century. These cards offered companies a way to promote their products, but also reflected the social values and cultural interests of the time. The “Actors and Actresses” series speaks to the rise of celebrity culture and the public’s fascination with the entertainment industry. The image of Agnes Herndon, with her elegant attire and carefully styled hair, presents a carefully constructed image of feminine beauty and sophistication. We can examine the social conditions that made these images so popular and influential, researching advertising history, the history of photography, and the biographies of the actresses featured. Understanding these factors helps us to interpret the card not just as a commercial product, but as a cultural artifact embedded in a specific historical moment.