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

This 1889 photograph by William S. Kimball & Company, titled "Mlle. Nelson," is part of the "Actresses" series of trading cards produced by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. to promote their brand of cigarettes. The portrait depicts Mlle. Nelson, a performer of the time, in a theatrical pose, emphasizing her femininity with a delicate, lacy dress. The card's small size, typical of trading cards, showcases the trend of collecting and exchanging these images in the late 19th century. The card's simple design and focus on the subject's image represent the straightforward approach to advertising and marketing employed during this period.