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

This is a trade card of the actress Ada Rehan, produced by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co., a cigarette manufacturer. These cards, small and collectible, offer a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the late 19th century. The actress Rehan, with her striking gaze, was immortalized and commodified. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, a marketing strategy that both capitalized on and contributed to Rehan's fame. It also speaks to the era's attitudes towards women, celebrity, and consumerism. Rehan inhabits a complicated space as both a celebrated performer and a figure used to sell products. While the card seems like a simple portrait, it opens up questions about the nature of representation, commercialism, and the gaze. As viewers, we must ask ourselves what it means to consume an image of a person, and how that consumption shapes our understanding of them.