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

This card, "Miss Tusean," from the Actresses series, was issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. It provides a glimpse into the cultural landscape of its time. These cards, distributed with cigarettes, offered idealized images of women, often actresses, who embodied contemporary beauty standards. In the late 19th century, the rise of mass media and consumer culture intertwined with evolving notions of femininity. Actresses, like Miss Tusean, became public figures, their images circulated and consumed as commodities. The card's portrayal of Miss Tusean reflects the era's complex negotiation of women's roles—torn between traditional expectations and the burgeoning opportunities for women in the public sphere. Consider the actress, posed with a rope and theatrical backdrop; what narratives of performance and identity are suggested here? These cards, while seemingly innocuous, reflect the societal gaze and the commodification of women's bodies and identities within a rapidly changing world.