Card 632, Irene Verona, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 7) for Dixie Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This small card, featuring Irene Verona, was one of a series of collectible photographs inserted into Dixie Cigarettes packs. Allen & Ginter, the company behind this, mass-produced these cards using photographic processes of the time. The card’s sepia tone results from chemical reactions during development. The thin paper stock speaks to its function as a promotional item, designed to be collected and traded. Consider the implications of photography becoming integrated into the burgeoning consumer culture of the late 19th century. No longer restricted to the wealthy, images could now be reproduced and distributed on a massive scale. Cards like these fueled desires, both for the advertised product and for the lifestyle it represented, creating value for both commodities and celebrity. This card blurs the lines between advertising, entertainment, and collecting, reflecting a shift in how images and objects were made, circulated, and consumed. It underscores the power of mass production in shaping our perceptions and desires.