Celia, from the Ballet Queens series (N182) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This color lithograph of Celia, from the Ballet Queens series, was produced by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. Observe Celia's garb, a flamboyant jester's costume, perched jauntily on a globe. Note the caduceus bracelet—a staff entwined by two snakes, often associated with Hermes, messenger of the gods, and a symbol of commerce and negotiation. The caduceus’s journey is a curious one, isn’t it? From ancient Greece to modern medicine, its transformation is a testament to the fluidity of symbols. Think of the image of Hermes, swiftly traversing realms, a mediator between worlds. The ballet dancer embodies a similar spirit of agility, balance, and poise, a performer who transcends the earthly realm. This card is not merely a portrait; it is a convergence of cultural motifs, revealing the enduring power of symbols to evolve and adapt across time. It taps into our collective memory, a subconscious recognition of archetypes that resonate deep within us.