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

"Mlle. Pitot, from the Actresses series" is a trade card from 1889, part of a series issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. to promote their brand of cigarettes. The card features a portrait of Mlle. Pitot, a French actress, standing in a full-length pose, holding a rifle and wearing a revealing costume. The trade card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, is a prime example of the use of celebrity imagery in advertising during the late 19th century, capturing a specific moment in history where tobacco was a popular pastime. This card and the series it belongs to are a rare glimpse into the lives of actresses and the culture surrounding tobacco consumption.