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

This is Ada Forbes, from the Actresses series (N203), a photograph issued by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. These cards were produced in the United States as promotional items for cigarettes, becoming a collectible fad. Ada Forbes, a stage actress, is presented here in a pose reminiscent of classical statuary, complete with a theatrical backdrop. These cards were not simply portraits; they were designed to create aspiration and desire, linking the consumption of cigarettes with the allure of fame and beauty. The commodification of art and celebrity through tobacco cards reflects a broader cultural shift, as mass media began to play an increasingly important role in shaping social values and personal identity. To better understand the power of these images, one can look at advertising history or theatre studies, where scholars investigate the construction of celebrity. Ultimately, it is through careful reconstruction that we can understand the complex relationship between art, commerce, and social life.