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

This photograph of Mlle. Myrtle was issued by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. It’s a mass-produced paper object, created to promote cigarettes. The company recognized the potential for images to drive sales, using the emerging medium of photography. Think about the labor involved in creating this seemingly simple image. First, there’s the photographer, carefully arranging the composition and capturing the image on a glass plate negative. Then, skilled technicians reproduce the image multiple times using chemical processes. Finally, factory workers insert these cards into cigarette packs at an industrial scale. These cards were not intended as high art but were cheap collectibles, designed to be traded and enjoyed by a wide audience. This image underscores the complex relationship between art, commerce, and labor in the late 19th century. By examining the means of production and the social context of this photograph, we can gain a richer understanding of its meaning and significance, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life.