Ada Webb, Champion Water Queen, from the Champions of Games and Sports series (N184, Type 2) issued by W.S. Kimball & Co. 1887

Curator: This is "Ada Webb, Champion Water Queen" from the Champions of Games and Sports series, issued by W.S. Kimball & Co. in 1887. Editor: It’s quite striking. The colouring gives it this dreamlike quality, a kind of idealized femininity, though the small format of the card suggests mass production rather than fine art. Curator: Exactly. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs. W.S. Kimball & Co. used them to promote their brand, capitalizing on popular figures like Ada Webb to reach a wider consumer base. We see coloured pencil and printing techniques combined to achieve the look. It really speaks to the shift towards mass-produced imagery and consumer culture. Editor: I’m fascinated by Ada herself. "Water Queen," a title loaded with connotations of power and beauty. Note the pendant. And her confident, almost regal gaze. Curator: Her adornment reinforces this idea. We need to remember that while there’s artistry here, there is equally advertising. How labour practices went into production; children would often be charged with the manual collation and packing of such ephemera. Editor: Absolutely. Looking closely, the water motifs go beyond simple representation. Water is symbolic of purification and rebirth. The image positions Ada as both powerful athlete and a symbol of renewal for those who engage with her through these cards. Even small symbolic features would have added value in promoting this "Champion". Curator: Precisely! The cigarette cards acted as cultural artifacts, reflecting contemporary fascinations with athleticism, beauty ideals, and new modes of production. Ada Webb's image here functions as a locus of societal aspirations, desires and values all tied into one commodity product, this little printed paper. Editor: Examining "Ada Webb, Champion Water Queen", reveals an incredible nexus between sport, society, and consumerism in the late 19th century, with Ada representing something truly beyond merely her athletic capability. Curator: A concise view, and one, which provides insights not only on the symbolic but the means and mechanism of that creation. Thank you.