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

This small card featuring the actress Calame was created by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Made of thin card stock, the image reproduction is sepia-toned, likely achieved through a photomechanical process of the time, such as collotype printing. These cards were essentially an early form of advertising, inserted into cigarette packs to stiffen them and entice consumers. The rise of mass production and consumer culture in the late 19th century created a demand for visually appealing and collectible items, and trade cards like these were a prime example of this phenomenon. What’s interesting is how the processes of image production became integrated with everyday habits. They turned something as mundane as smoking into a collecting opportunity, merging art, commerce, and popular culture. Considering this card, we should recognize how materials and making are never neutral. They actively shape the meanings we attach to objects, challenging traditional notions of art and its place in society.