Annie Russell, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

Step into the glittering world of late 19th-century theater with this charming commercial color lithograph, *Annie Russell, from theresses series (N203, produced by William S. Kimball & Company 1889. Measuring just 2 5/8 × 1 3/8 inches, this petite portrait captures the poised elegance of Annie Russell, a prominent actress of the Gilded Age, whose expressive features and stylish attire embody the era's ideal of feminine stardom. Issued as part of a popular series, it exemplifies the vibrant chromolithography technique, which allowed for vivid, multi-color printing on a mass scale, making high-quality images accessible to everyday collectors. These cards were savvy marketing tools from Kimball, a tobacco company, tucked into cigarette packs to entice buyers and fuel a booming collecting craze. Part of The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, they highlight ephemera—once-discarded print matter now treasured for its cultural snapshot. The Actresses series reflects America's infatuation with stage celebrities, where women like Russell commanded public adoration amid the rise of vaudeville and Broadway. Today, this tiny gem reveals how commercial art bridged advertising and celebrity culture, preserving fleeting theatrical icons in enduring color. A delightful window into Victorian leisure and lithography's heyday!

About the Artist

William S. Kimball & Company · 1850–1950

**William S. Kimball & Company**, a pioneering American tobacco manufacturer, was established in 1846 in Rochester, New York, by William S. Kimball and James C. Hart. The firm quickly grew into one of the city's largest employers, particularly of women, producing popular brands like Peerless chewing tobacco, Rigatta and Fireside smoking tobacco, and Vanity Fair cigarettes. Under Kimball's leadersh...