Deal Beach, from the Fancy Bathers series (N187) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This small chromolithograph, printed by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co., was part of a series called "Fancy Bathers." These cards, produced in the United States during the late 19th century, were originally included in cigarette packs as a way to stiffen the packaging and entice customers. But beyond their commercial function, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the social mores of the Gilded Age. The bathing costume, while modest by today's standards, reflects changing attitudes toward women's public roles and leisure. The figure's self-assured pose suggests a growing sense of female agency, even within the constraints of Victorian society. To truly understand this image, we might consult period fashion magazines, advertisements, and social etiquette guides. These sources help us to decode the visual language of the time and to appreciate how such seemingly innocuous images could reflect and shape broader cultural trends. We can then explore the shifting boundaries of gender and public space in late 19th-century America.