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

This is "Miss Bernise," a photograph from a series of actresses, produced by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., an American cigarette manufacturer. These cards, common in the late 19th century, offer a glimpse into the era's evolving social norms and the commercialization of celebrity. The image presents Miss Bernise in a somewhat unconventional pose, seated with a cigarette, challenging the demure and domestic roles traditionally assigned to women. The actress, though respectable, was associated with a life of spectacle that threatened the rigid morality of the Victorian era. Note how the photograph uses visual codes to navigate the social perceptions of the time. The dress and pose are somewhat daring for the time and the cigarette is a clear sign of 'modernity'. The producers of these cards were clearly trying to associate their product with the glamour and excitement of the theater. By examining archives of theatrical history and advertising, we can better understand the complex interplay between commerce, representation, and social change in this period.