Della Fox, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Editor: This albumen print from somewhere between 1885 and 1891 depicts Della Fox, an actress, and it's part of a series of "Actors and Actresses" cigarette cards. What strikes me is how elaborate her costume and especially her headdress are. What can you tell me about the function and cultural context of images like this? Curator: Well, these cards were originally included in cigarette packs as a marketing tactic. Collecting these cards became a social trend. In that context, think about who Della Fox was. These "stars" projected particular types of glamour, femininity, and, ultimately, aspiration. How do you think images like this helped create or reinforce public perceptions, and perhaps even influence the careers, of these actors and actresses? Editor: I imagine it’s like today’s celebrity endorsements or social media presence. It definitely controlled how the public perceived her, almost like constructing an image through circulation and repetition. Curator: Exactly. And who decided on these constructions? What sort of messages were these images sending? Remember, Allen & Ginter targeted a specific consumer base, mainly middle- and upper-class men. Consider how this impacts not just how we look at Della Fox, but how those men were encouraged to construct their own identities through acts such as collecting and viewing. Does seeing it framed this way change how you perceive the image? Editor: Yes, it goes beyond a pretty picture to consider what type of woman they were marketing. It’s like a peek into the aspirations of the period. Curator: Indeed. This was a time of changing social roles. What at first might appear a simple advertisement becomes a fascinating cultural artifact ripe with questions about gender, commerce, and celebrity. Editor: I hadn't considered how intertwined all those factors are. Thanks, that’s given me a lot to think about.