Sea Girt, from the Fancy Bathers series (N187) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

"Sea Girt" was one of a series of collectible cards issued in the late 19th century by the American tobacco company, William S. Kimball & Co. These cards, which came with cigarettes, offer us a glimpse into the social norms and popular imagery of the Gilded Age. We see a woman in a striped bathing suit. Her attire, including the stockings and laced shoes, reflects the modesty expected of women at the time, even in recreational settings. The commercial nature of this artwork is important. It reminds us that images are not neutral; they're produced and circulated within specific economic systems. Tobacco companies used these cards to appeal to consumers and shape cultural values. To understand this image fully, we might research the history of advertising, the changing role of women in society, and the visual culture of the late 1800s. By doing so, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the social forces that shaped this seemingly simple image.