Emma Thiersby, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This small photograph, printed around 1888 by Goodwin & Company for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes, depicts actress Emma Thiersby holding a flower under the shade of a parasol. Consider the parasol, and its symbolic journey. Arising as a symbol of status and protection in ancient civilizations, it sheltered nobles and deities alike. Think of the divine figures in Indian art, their status proclaimed by the umbrella above. Over centuries, it morphed. No longer just for sacred or royal use, it became a fashion item, a signal of refinement. Yet, its core symbolism—protection from the harshness of the world—remains. The parasol here serves as more than a shield from the sun. It hints at a desire for privacy, a screen against the intrusive gaze. The flower she holds becomes a fragile emblem of beauty and transience. These symbols touch something deep within us, echoing the primal need for shelter and the poignant awareness of life's fleeting nature. The image of Emma Thiersby becomes a mirror, reflecting our own complex relationship with protection, beauty, and time.