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

This is "Miss Anderson," one of the actresses featured in a series of collectible cards issued by the cigarette company, William S. Kimball & Co. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a glimpse into the construction of celebrity and feminine ideals of the time. Miss Anderson, with her classical profile and draped clothing, is presented as an emblem of refined beauty. But let’s consider the context: these images were distributed with cigarettes, a product increasingly associated with female consumers. The actresses, like Miss Anderson, were used to market cigarettes to women, subtly linking smoking with glamour and independence. It invites us to reflect on the complex interplay of commerce, gender, and identity in the shaping of cultural norms. What does it mean to see a woman's image used to sell a product that simultaneously empowers and endangers?