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

This is Josie Hall, from the Actors and Actresses series, a promotional trading card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural values of the Gilded Age. Here, we see a staged image of Josie Hall, a performer, carefully constructed to appeal to consumers. Note the peacock feather fan which she holds; peacocks were symbols of wealth and beauty, associating Josie Hall with luxury and aspiration. The image, printed on a small card, was designed to fit inside a cigarette pack, thus turning female performers into commodities themselves. The trading card also offers a glimpse into the limited roles available to women. Actresses, while admired, were often subject to intense public scrutiny, and these images contributed to the construction and control of female identity. The commercial use of Josie Hall's image highlights how personal identity was becoming a tool for marketing and consumption, shaping our understanding of fame, gender, and value.