Boine, Eden, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Allen & Ginter produced this photographic card of the ballerina Eden Boine as an advertising insert for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The card is made from paper, which, in the late 19th century, was becoming increasingly industrialized, allowing for mass production of printed materials. This convergence of photography and print enabled companies to create collectible cards to boost sales and enhance brand loyalty. The sepia tone is characteristic of early photographic processes, lending the image a sense of nostalgia and timelessness. Consider the social context: the card represents both an idealized image of femininity and a commodity object embedded within a broader culture of consumption. The dancer's grace and beauty are packaged and sold alongside cigarettes, blurring the lines between art, entertainment, and commerce. This challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and the applied arts.