Card 66, from the Girl Cyclists series (N49) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1887

Editor: This is "Card 66" from the Girl Cyclists series, crafted in 1887 by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The young cyclist seems to be effortlessly gliding – or rather, surfing! – on that giant penny-farthing. It’s playful, almost whimsical. What's your take? Curator: Whimsical is a good word for it! For me, this image evokes a powerful sense of aspiration and perhaps a dash of rebellion, doesn't it? Think about the time this was made: the late 19th century, the rise of the "New Woman." Bicycles were more than just transportation; they were symbols of freedom and independence for women. The inclusion in cigarette cards, mind you, adds another layer - associating this new liberated woman with the vice of smoking. A bit of a paradox, eh? Editor: A paradox indeed! I didn’t think about the advertising angle that way. So, is the cigarette company suggesting independence or just trying to sell more product? Curator: Precisely! It’s a bit of both, like life often is, wouldn’t you agree? Advertising has always played on our aspirations and fears. This little card reveals shifting social mores, where freedom, commerce and art get deliciously intertwined. The fact that it looks almost like a Japanese woodblock print points toward the vogue of Japonisme too. A complex and tantalising little snapshot of its time, don’t you think? Editor: I definitely do. I’ll never look at these old ads the same way again. It's incredible how much a seemingly simple image can tell us! Curator: That's the beauty of art, isn't it? It whispers secrets, if only we lend an ear… or an eye.