Card 867, Belle Urquhart, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 2) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a promotional card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, featuring Belle Urquhart, an actress of the late 19th century. The card comes from a series titled 'Actors and Actresses,' and was created by Allen & Ginter. These cards emerged within a cultural landscape deeply interested in celebrity and performance. Urquhart is dressed in a military style uniform, a popular theatrical costume of the period. This choice speaks to the blurring lines between stage and reality, and how identity could be constructed and performed. The military attire might also reference the period's imperial ambitions and the fascination with power and control. The card itself is small, designed to fit within a cigarette pack, making it an intimate object. It reflects both personal desires and broader societal trends. Consider how this image, mass-produced and widely distributed, contributed to the construction of fame. It is a potent reminder of how deeply intertwined commerce, representation, and identity truly are.