Seine, from the Dancing Girls of the World series (N185) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This small card, "Seine, from the Dancing Girls of the World series," was made by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. Its materials and processes tell a story of mass production. Printed using chromolithography, a technique that allowed for colorful images to be reproduced quickly and cheaply, this card was one in a set inserted into cigarette packages as a promotional item. It reflects an emerging culture of consumerism in the late 19th century, where even everyday items like tobacco were packaged with collectible inserts. The image itself, a dancer kicking her leg high against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, speaks to the era's fascination with exoticism and entertainment. But it's the card's materiality that really grabs our attention. The smooth, coated paper, the bright, flat colors, and the standardized size all point to its function as a mass-produced commodity. So, the next time you see a small printed card, remember that its materials and making tell a big story about industry, consumption, and the democratization of images.