Card 706, Kate Uart, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a printed card featuring Kate Uart, made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards were popular in the late 19th century as collectibles inserted into cigarette packs. They offer a glimpse into the cultural values and aspirations of the time. Cards like this one played a role in shaping perceptions of celebrity, particularly for women. Actresses were among the first women to achieve widespread public recognition, yet they navigated a world in which their reputations were constantly scrutinized. This card both celebrates Uart's image and commodifies it, turning her into a commercial object used to sell cigarettes. The image of Uart, with her elaborate costume, is a constructed persona, carefully curated for public consumption. Does it empower or objectify her? Perhaps it does both, reflecting the complex and contradictory role of women in the public sphere during this period. It reminds us of the tightrope women performers walked as they sought fame and recognition.