Mrs. Langtry, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Dixie Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Editor: This is a photographic print of Mrs. Langtry from the Actors and Actresses series for Dixie Cigarettes, dating from around 1885 to 1891. It feels very posed, almost like a painting. What stands out to you? Curator: The overt symbolism. Everything is carefully positioned. Mrs. Langtry is not just a person; she's an emblem. Consider how she's framed with that urn of foliage; it mirrors the vitality and supposed 'naturalness' that celebrity aims to project. But what kind of immortality does a cigarette card offer? Editor: A fleeting one, maybe? I hadn't considered the foliage as a symbol of vitality...but in contrast with cigarettes it is quite telling. What do you make of her gaze? It’s a bit aloof, almost challenging. Curator: Exactly. The gaze is central. In these promotional images, the eyes are meant to capture and hold the consumer. It’s an invitation, certainly, but also an assertion of power. Remember, actors and actresses were becoming powerful cultural figures. By purchasing the cigarette, the consumer symbolically partakes in that power, even briefly. The text labels are so important! Editor: It’s like possessing a miniature idol, connecting with fame on a personal level. Is that the appeal? Curator: In essence, yes. It taps into our deep-seated desire for connection and aspiration. Images create cultural memory. It freezes an idol into our mind...But how many remember Dixie Cigarettes? It does make me consider the psychology of advertising then and now. Editor: That’s so fascinating to consider. I will think of that symbolic framework moving forward. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure.