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

This is "Fannie Rice, from the Actors and Actresses series", a promotional card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards emerged during a period of burgeoning consumer culture. They reflect the increasing commercialization of leisure and entertainment. Fannie Rice, the subject, was a popular actress, and here she's depicted in traditionally masculine clothing. The figure playfully subverts gender norms through performance, while the card itself reinforces the gendered marketing of tobacco products. What are the implications of using a figure who challenges gender norms to sell cigarettes? This tension embodies the complexities of identity and representation in the late 19th century. This mass-produced image invites us to consider the role of advertising in shaping and reflecting societal attitudes towards gender, performance, and celebrity.