Blanche Thornton/ Clara Davenport/ Florence Baker, Corsair Co./ Maud Waldemere, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 4) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This trade card from the Actors and Actresses series, made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, features photographic portraits of actresses. Note the recurring motif of adornment: hats, fur, and jewelry. These are not merely decorative; they are symbols of status and identity, echoing through centuries of portraiture. Think of the elaborate headwear in Renaissance paintings, communicating power and wealth, or even the simple pearl earrings in Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring," adding an aura of mystery and allure. The hats and jewelry here, however, are not symbols of the divine as they were during the Renaissance, nor are they simply portraits, but are symbols of commodity. The cigarette card is sold using the likeness of these women. So they have become something that can be bought and sold. Such adornments tap into a deep, subconscious desire for transformation and aspiration, a yearning to embody the idealized image presented. This card is a talisman of sorts, linking the actresses' glamorous world to the everyday lives of those who bought and consumed these cigarettes. The cyclical journey of these symbols underscores how cultural values are encoded and passed down, constantly reshaped by the zeitgeist.