Annie Pixley, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 7) for Dixie Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card featuring Annie Pixley, from the Actors and Actresses series, was a product of Allen & Ginter, a cigarette company, in the late 19th century. These cards functioned as promotional items, inserted into cigarette packs to encourage brand loyalty. The rise of mass media and consumer culture in America created new platforms for advertising and celebrity endorsement. Actors and actresses, like Annie Pixley, became recognizable figures and their association with a product lent it an air of glamour and desirability. The image itself, with its sepia tones and staged backdrop, reflects the aesthetic conventions of the time. While seemingly innocuous, the card also highlights the role of commercial enterprises in shaping popular culture. The Library of Congress and other historical archives provide insight into the social and economic conditions that gave rise to this phenomenon. By examining these cards, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between art, commerce, and society.