Card 767, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Editor: Here we have "Card 767" from the Actors and Actresses series, a photographic print dating from 1885 to 1891, produced by Allen & Ginter. It strikes me as a really peculiar piece of advertising—quite unlike anything we'd see today. What exactly is going on in this picture? Curator: This belongs to a larger phenomenon of cigarette cards featuring popular actresses, athletes, and other public figures. Their circulation highlights the increasing commercialization and accessibility of photography. How do you see this card functioning within society at that time? Editor: I imagine these cards, inserted into cigarette packs, brought celebrity culture directly to the masses. Almost a democratizing force, or at least, a commercial one. But what about the subject, dressed in such an odd costume? And next to an equally odd carved niche, seemingly on the street? Curator: The costume speaks to performance and spectacle, associating the cigarette brand with the allure of the stage. Consider this image's intended audience: predominantly male, often working-class. How does this image contribute to shaping cultural ideals of beauty, gender, and perhaps even social aspirations, within that specific social context? Editor: It does feel a bit… exploitative? Like the actress is being used as a commodity to sell cigarettes, definitely reinforcing certain gender roles. I suppose this makes this 'bright' advertising really reflects its time, both beautiful and problematic. Curator: Exactly! It gives us a clear reflection into the socio-political milieu of the period and it’s values, how commercial ventures engaged with its viewership. It helps unpack the intersection of consumerism and public perception, revealing subtle cues embedded in daily items. I found your assessment, in terms of current gender implications in advertisement, very useful.