Plate 33, from the Fans of the Period series (N7) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This is Plate 33 from the "Fans of the Period" series, a lithograph produced by Allen & Ginter for cigarette brands. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a glimpse into the aspirations and anxieties surrounding femininity during the Gilded Age. The woman depicted embodies the era's ideal: white, upper-class, and adorned in fashionable attire, complete with an elaborate hat and a delicate fan. The fan itself becomes a symbol of her controlled expression, a tool for both concealing and revealing emotion within the constraints of societal expectations. Consider the subtle tension here: while the image celebrates feminine beauty and refinement, it also hints at the restrictions placed upon women of this time, whose identities were often circumscribed by their appearance and social roles. The commercial context of the card is equally telling, as tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter actively participated in shaping cultural norms and desires through targeted advertising. These cards are both aesthetic objects and historical documents that invite us to reflect on how consumer culture and gender ideology intersect.