Mlle Fai, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This is a photograph of Mlle Fai, from the Actresses series, a collectible card issued by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. cigarette brand. Produced at the height of the Gilded Age, these cards offered a glimpse into the burgeoning world of popular entertainment. Images of actresses, athletes, and other public figures became tools to market consumer goods. This card is a window into how celebrity culture started, and how the commodification of images played a role. The photograph presents Mlle Fai in costume, a pose designed to capture the allure of the stage. These cards reflect the era’s fascination with fame, performance, and the emerging mass media. Understanding them involves looking into archives of popular culture, theater history, and advertising. By studying these cards, we can gain insights into the social values and visual culture of the time, revealing the complex interplay between commerce, art, and identity.