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

This small card featuring Mlle. Stella was one of many inserted into cigarette packs sold by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. These cards, popular in the late 19th century United States, served as both advertisement and collectible. The image of Mlle. Stella, a performer, hints at the burgeoning entertainment industry and the commodification of celebrity. Notice how Stella's attire and pose, while suggestive, remain within the boundaries of acceptability for the time. This reflects the complex social mores of the period, where public displays of sensuality were carefully managed. The mass production and distribution of these cards also speaks to the rise of consumer culture and the power of advertising to shape public taste. To fully understand the significance of these cards, historians consult trade publications, census data, and social commentaries. Only then can we appreciate how they mirror the values and anxieties of a rapidly changing society.