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

This small card, showing the actress M. Guerre, was printed by the cigarette company Wm. S. Kimball & Co., likely in the United States during the late 19th century. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs as a marketing strategy. The company produced a whole series of actresses, reflecting the rising popularity of theater and the cult of celebrity. But it also speaks volumes about the social status of women in that era. Actresses, though admired, often occupied a precarious position in society, seen as public figures whose reputations were always at risk. The distribution of these images through consumer goods reveals how women's images were commodified, used to sell products in a rapidly industrializing society. To fully understand the implications of this image, we can delve into theater history, advertising archives, and social studies. The intersection of art, commerce, and gender roles can be a fascinating area of study.