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

This is "Minna Rathner, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes" made by Allen & Ginter. These cards were popular in the late 19th century, a time when the burgeoning mass media and commercial culture were intertwined. The card presents Minna Rathner, a figure who straddles the line between performer and commodity. The series reflects the cultural fascination with actresses, who were among the first women to achieve public recognition. This intersects with the promotion of Virginia Brights Cigarettes, illustrating how women's images were used to sell products, embedding them in consumer culture. Rathner is represented in costume, holding a spear, the outfit suggestive of both power and spectacle. The portrayal raises questions about the gaze, who is looking, and for what purpose? It captures a moment of visibility and questions of identity and representation. The image is both a portrait and an advertisement, reflecting how identity becomes a currency in consumer culture. It leaves us to consider how these historical depictions continue to shape our contemporary understanding of women and their roles in society.