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

This is "Miss Lherie, from the Actresses series," a photograph issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as a cigarette card. These cards, popular in the late 19th century United States, offer us a glimpse into the social and cultural values of the time. The image of Miss Lherie, an actress, was a marketing strategy aimed at attracting consumers, primarily men, to the Kimball brand. But, like so many images, it also reflects the changing role of women in society. Actresses, like Miss Lherie, were among the first women to achieve public recognition, and they often became objects of both admiration and scrutiny. The cards were collected and traded, and their popularity demonstrates the growing consumer culture of the era. The photographer carefully staged the image, posing Miss Lherie as a marketable commodity. By studying these cards, along with other sources from the period, such as newspapers, magazines, and theater programs, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and economic forces that shaped American society at the end of the 19th century.