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

This small card was produced by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as part of their Actresses series of cigarette cards. These cards were common in the late 19th century in America, as tobacco companies sought ways to promote their brands. The image presents Miss Shaler, an actress, in what was likely considered a provocative pose for the time, somewhere in the 1880s or 90s. The theatrical backdrop and her costume tell us something about the spectacle of femininity, as much as about the commodification of art, and celebrity. What's fascinating here is the convergence of entertainment, advertising, and the burgeoning cult of celebrity. Tobacco companies were among the first to grasp the power of associating their products with popular figures. For the social historian, such an artifact is an entry point into understanding the cultural values, marketing strategies, and the evolving role of women in late 19th-century society. Trade catalogs, company records, and theatrical archives are essential tools for placing this image within a broader historical narrative.