From the Actresses series (N57) promoting Our Little Beauties Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products 1890

Editor: Here we have "From the Actresses series (N57) promoting Our Little Beauties Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products," a print from 1890, housed here at the Met. I'm immediately struck by its overt commercialism and the rather…stilted pose of the woman. What do you see in this piece in terms of its historical context? Curator: Well, first it’s interesting to note its connection to both the commercial sphere *and* the burgeoning world of celebrity. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, essentially using actresses as a marketing tool. What we now see as a kind of kitsch was very much a deliberate move to associate tobacco products with glamour and success. How do you think this imagery played into the social perception of actresses at the time? Editor: It seems almost paradoxical – it elevates these actresses in a way by immortalizing their images, yet it also reduces them to a simple sales tactic, objectifying them to sell cigarettes. Curator: Exactly. This card, and others like it, played a role in shaping public opinion, blurring the line between genuine appreciation of talent and pure commercial exploitation. Consider the phrase "Our Little Beauties," with its inherent paternalism. Editor: It's definitely a loaded phrase. The casual objectification is pretty shocking. Curator: And this was all happening within a very specific socio-political climate, with debates raging about women’s roles and public image. The card becomes a battleground, reflecting anxieties and aspirations around female representation. Think about how it differs from contemporary marketing that employs celebrities. What do you think is the biggest difference? Editor: The subtlety, probably. Now, it’s all about "authenticity" and endorsements that seem organic. This feels blatant, yet fascinatingly so. Curator: It truly lays bare the mechanics of celebrity and advertising, offering us a potent insight into a very particular moment in social and commercial history. Editor: Looking at it through that lens definitely changes my perspective. It is much more than a simple advertisement. Curator: Precisely. There's so much cultural information packed into one little card.