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

This is a trading card from the Actors and Actresses series, created by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The sepia tones give the image a nostalgic feel. Consider the composition. Lizzie Derious is framed in a tight close-up, emphasizing her face and upper body. The lines of her soft, wavy hair contrast with the geometric form of her hat. The texture created by the printing process adds depth, with the light catching the delicate lace details of her outfit. The card functions as both a portrait and a commodity. It reflects the late 19th-century obsession with celebrity and the burgeoning consumer culture. The image exists as a sign, carrying encoded messages about beauty, fame, and social status. It invites a semiotic reading, where the image is not just a representation but a system of signs that circulate and create meaning within a specific cultural context. The card's compact size underscores its function as a collectible object, easily traded and accumulated. It is a signifier of a particular moment in time.