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

"Miss Bassive, from the Actresses series" is a photograph issued as a cigarette card by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. These cards reflect the cultural obsession with actresses in the late 19th century. Here, Miss Bassive embodies the sensuality associated with the stage, yet her coy glance and partial exposure of her leg offer only a carefully constructed glimpse. The card functions within a complex economy of desire, both celebrating and commodifying female performers. Consider the male gaze inherent in the image production, contrasted with the potential female agency in crafting a public persona. Also, think about the class dynamics at play, as these cards made celebrity accessible to a wider, consumer culture. The photograph offers a window into the intertwined histories of entertainment, advertising, and the construction of feminine identity in the late 1800s, revealing a story of both empowerment and exploitation.