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

This card, from Wm. S. Kimball & Co.'s "Actresses" series, presents Miss Summerville in theatrical garb, complete with a decorative bodice, a jaunty cap, and a small sword at her side. The sword, though petite, speaks volumes. It is a symbol of power and authority, traditionally associated with masculinity. However, here, it adorns a woman, an actress, challenging conventional roles. We see echoes of Judith with the head of Holofernes, or even Artemis, the huntress, reclaiming agency. The sword, held behind her, hints at a hidden strength, a concealed potential. Consider, too, how such imagery has been used to both empower and sexualize women throughout history. This card, small as it is, encapsulates a complex interplay of cultural memory and the evolving role of women in the public eye. It is a stage upon which societal tensions play out.