Card 306, Jeffreys Lewis, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is Card 306, a lithograph of Jeffreys Lewis, from the Actors and Actresses series, created by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. During the late 19th century, the advent of mass media introduced a new era of celebrity and consumer culture. These cards, distributed with cigarette packs, were designed to promote both the actresses and the tobacco brand, reflecting a society increasingly fascinated by fame and commercialism. The image captures Lewis in the conventional style of the time, emphasizing beauty through elaborate attire and a staged pose. As a woman in the public eye, her representation was carefully curated to meet societal expectations. These cards also speak to the complex relationship between women, performance, and consumption during this period. Actresses like Lewis navigated a world where their visibility was both a source of power and a constraint, mirroring the evolving roles and expectations of women in society.