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

This photograph of Miss Perrin was produced by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as one of a series of actress portraits included in cigarette packs. In the late 19th century, commercial photography boomed, and images of actresses became highly marketable, reflecting both the growing popularity of theatre and the rise of celebrity culture. These cards served as promotional material but also offered a glimpse into the lives and images of performers who were shaping popular entertainment. The cards helped to manufacture fame, and the format itself—small, mass-produced, and collectible—democratized access to celebrity images. The actresses depicted often challenged social norms through their performances and public personas, contributing to evolving ideas about gender and identity. To understand the image more fully, one might consult theatre archives, biographies of actresses, and studies of consumer culture during this era. The image invites us to consider the intricate relationship between art, commerce, and the making of cultural icons.