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

This card, "Miss Sarotta," was made by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as part of a series of actresses featured on cigarette packages. These were printed using photolithography, which allowed for mass production. The image itself has a sepia tone, typical of early photographic processes. But think about it: this wasn't fine art, it was essentially advertising, a throwaway item meant to entice consumers. The card’s materiality speaks volumes about the era's burgeoning consumer culture. While it may seem trivial, it reflects the increasing entanglement of art, commerce, and celebrity, all enabled by industrial production. The very act of collecting these cards became a social activity, driven by the logic of capitalism. So, next time you light up, consider the complex relationship between art, industry, and everyday life. It's all there in the making.