Mary Anderson, from the Actresses and Celebrities series (N60, Type 2) promoting Little Beauties Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products 1887

This small card from the Actresses and Celebrities series by Allen & Ginter presents us with Mary Anderson, adorned with a pearl necklace, a potent symbol. Pearls have long been associated with purity and wealth, think of Botticelli's Venus, emerging from the sea, a pearl embodying her divine perfection. Yet, consider how in other contexts, a pearl, born from irritation within an oyster, can symbolize tears or sorrow. This duality is fascinating. Here, the pearl necklace, presented in conjunction with a cigarette advertisement, introduces a complex layer. It perhaps is not merely an emblem of purity but also alludes to the tempting allure of pleasure and the potential for corruption. These symbols transcend time, appearing in different guises, their meanings shifting, yet their emotional resonance remains. It’s a visual echo through history, revealing the intricate dance between collective memory and our subconscious desires.