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

This is Helen Hastreiter, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes, made by Goodwin & Company sometime between 1850 and 1950. The trading card is a small window into the world of entertainment and consumer culture during a transformative period in American history. The image of Helen Hastreiter embodies the gendered expectations of women in the entertainment industry, where actresses were often marketed as objects of desire and admiration. Hastreiter’s theatrical attire hints at the characters she portrayed, inviting viewers to speculate about her roles and off-stage persona. While the card celebrates individual achievement, it's also a reflection of the economic forces shaping the theater, as celebrities were used to promote products like cigarettes. The emotional connection between the audience and the performer becomes a marketing tool, linking pleasure and aspiration with the consumption of tobacco. The artwork serves as a reminder of the intertwined relationship between art, commerce, and identity.