Card 478, Miss Pomeroy, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card, featuring Miss Pomeroy, was produced by Allen and Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It's made of paper, printed with a photographic image, and was one of a series included in cigarette packs. The card's materiality speaks volumes about its purpose. Cheaply produced in vast quantities, its inherent flimsiness underscores its disposability. Yet, the image of Miss Pomeroy – likely a popular actress of the time – elevates it beyond mere ephemera. The printing process, a form of mass production, democratized access to imagery, making celebrity portraits available to a wider audience. Consider how this contrasts with traditional portraiture, typically the domain of the wealthy. These cards were essentially advertisements, designed to entice consumers to purchase cigarettes. The labor involved in producing both the cigarettes and the associated imagery highlights the complex relationship between consumer culture, marketing, and artistic representation in the late 19th century. The card reminds us that even seemingly trivial objects can offer valuable insights into the social and economic forces that shape our world.