Josie Hall, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. by William S. Kimball & Company

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

drawing, print

portrait

photo of handprinted image

drawing

toned paper

photo restoration

print

old engraving style

charcoal drawing

charcoal art

pencil drawing

19th century

men

watercolour illustration

watercolor

This is a trade card from the "Actresses" series issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., featuring actress Josie Hall. The card was printed in 1889 as part of a series of advertising cards that promoted Wm. S. Kimball & Co.'s cigarettes. The card shows a bust-length portrait of Josie Hall, looking directly at the viewer, her hair styled in a fashionable updo and adorned with a pearl necklace. This simple portrait is typical of trade cards of the period. The card exemplifies the use of celebrity endorsements in advertising and a popular form of early 19th-century ephemera.