Card 603, Katie Cheatham, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Editor: So this is “Card 603, Katie Cheatham” from the Actors and Actresses series made between 1885 and 1891 by Allen & Ginter. It's a little card, meant to be included in Virginia Brights Cigarettes, with Katie Cheatham's portrait. It seems so formal, and I wonder why this image was used to sell cigarettes. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's interesting to consider how commercial imagery like this reflects broader cultural attitudes. Think about it: collectible cards featuring actresses packaged with cigarettes. What does that pairing tell us about the role of women, particularly performers, in the late 19th century and how businesses approached it? Editor: That it was maybe exploiting it, connecting their image with a product that maybe wasn't as harmless? Curator: Precisely. This card served as a marketing tool, subtly linking the allure and perceived glamour of these actresses to the consumption of tobacco. Do you see this as a celebration of women, or a commodification? And how does this fit into the burgeoning advertising industry of the time? Editor: Definitely feels like commodification now that you frame it that way. These actresses are being used to give this ordinary product some extra appeal to the buyers of these cigarettes. It sort of changed my perception of this artwork and cigarette cards generally, how it influenced popular culture then. Curator: Exactly, we're not just looking at a pretty face. We're looking at a piece of social history that tells us a lot about the interplay of celebrity, consumerism, and the subtle messaging that shapes our perceptions. Editor: Thanks. It’s amazing how much can be gleaned from these tiny cards!