Coralie, from the Actresses series (T123, Type 1), issued by Neil McCoull Co.

Art Historical Context

In the late 19th century, photographic portraits like *Coralie, from the Actresses series (123, Type 1)* captured the allure of theater stars, turning them into everyday collectibles. Issued around 1897 by the Neil McCoull Co., this albumen print depicts the actress Coralie, whose poised gaze and elegant attire evoke the glamour of the era's stage performers. Measuring just 2 5/16 × 2 inches, it belongs to a popular series that celebrated women in entertainment, blending celebrity culture with ephemera designed for trading or display. The albumen printing process, using egg whites to coat paper sensitized with silver salts, produced the rich tonal depth and sharp detail that made these cards so appealing. As part of the Photographs and Ephemera classification in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, it highlights how photography democratized portraiture, making icons accessible beyond elite audiences. Donated through The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a treasure trove of American prints—this piece reflects the Victorian fascination with actresses as symbols of modernity and allure. Today, it offers a window into Gilded Age leisure, where such cards fueled collecting crazes and underscored women's rising visibility in public life.