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

This is Nellie Standish from the Actors and Actresses series, a lithograph card produced by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the late 19th century. These cards were strategically inserted into cigarette packs as a marketing ploy. At the time, the burgeoning advertising industry realized the reach of celebrity endorsements. By associating their product with popular actresses like Nellie Standish, tobacco companies aimed to enhance their brand image. The distribution of these cards also reflects the institutional history of collecting and display. They were part of a broader phenomenon of collecting and trading cards, an activity embraced by both adults and children. Albums were specifically designed to house these collections, transforming them into personal museums of popular culture. Further research into tobacco advertising strategies, the careers of actresses like Nellie Standish, and the culture of collecting in the late 19th century, will no doubt enrich our understanding of this piece. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.