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

This photograph of Mlle. Calier comes from a series made by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. to be included in cigarette packs. The image is a product of industrial processes, designed for mass consumption. Photography itself, of course, was already a relatively new technology at this time. Notice the way the image is printed: this is photolithography, an inexpensive method. The likeness of Mlle. Calier wasn't originally made for the art gallery or museum, but for the marketplace. The purpose was to promote a specific brand of cigarettes. The card represents an early form of celebrity endorsement. Consider the amount of labor involved in the growing, harvesting, processing, and distribution of tobacco. The photograph of Mlle. Calier is part of this network, a cog in the machine of mass production and marketing. This card shows us how industry, labor, and celebrity came together, blurring the boundaries between art, advertising, and everyday life.