Fanny Gillette, from the Actresses series (N190) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of late 19-century American ephemera with *Fanny Gillette, from the Actresses series (N190)*, a charming commercial lithograph produced by. S. Kimball &. in 1889. This petite portrait (just 2½ × 1⅜ inches) captures the allure of Fanny Gillette, a popular actress of the era, as part of a collectible series issued by the tobacco company. Kimball's cards were tucked into cigarette packages to entice collectors, blending celebrity glamour with clever marketing during the Gilded Age. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized commercial printing by enabling vivid, multi-colored images at scale—perfect for mass appeal. Though not fine art, these prints highlight the artistry of advertising, with precise lines and bold hues that brought theater stars to everyday pockets. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece exemplifies the ephemera that documented popular culture. Culturally, the Actresses series reflects America's theater obsession, where women like Gillette embodied glamour and independence on stage. These tiny treasures offer a window into how commerce and celebrity intertwined, turning a simple trade card into a snapshot of 1880s fascination with the footlights.

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...