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

This is a carte-de-visite of Miss Lhery, part of the Actresses series, produced by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., a cigarette manufacturer. The image is a photographic print on paper, a relatively new technology at the time. While the artistry of the image is apparent – the pose, the lighting, the composition – the real story here is about mass production and consumption. These cards were essentially promotional items, included in cigarette packs to encourage repeat purchases. Think of them as an early form of advertising. The material, a simple paper print, belies the complex industrial processes that made it possible: the paper mills, the photographic studios, the printing presses, and the factories churning out cigarettes. This card is a potent reminder of how art and commerce have always been intertwined, and how even the humblest of materials can carry significant cultural weight. It challenges us to consider the value we place on both artistic skill and the mechanics of production that bring art to the masses.