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

This is a promotional card for Wm. S. Kimball & Co. cigarettes, featuring actress Emma Carson. These cards, popular in the late 19th century United States, offer a glimpse into the era’s marketing strategies and celebrity culture. The image presents Carson in costume, holding a star-tipped wand. The theatrical garb connects her to the entertainment industry, while her fashionable corset reflects contemporary beauty standards. Consider the power dynamics at play: Carson's image is used to sell tobacco, highlighting the commercialization of fame. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, making them widely accessible, and blurring the lines between advertising, art, and everyday life. To understand this image more fully, we can explore the history of advertising, the social role of actresses, and the cultural significance of tobacco consumption at the time. These historical threads reveal how even seemingly simple images are embedded in complex social and economic structures.