Julette, from the Ballet Queens series (N182) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

Step into the dazzling world of 19th-century advertising with *Julette, from the Queens series (N182, a vibrant commercial color lithograph produced by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889. This card, measuring just 2¾ × 1½ inches, captures the grace of a ballerina poised in elegant attire, embodying the era's fascination with dance and femininity. Issued as inserts in cigarette packages, these ephemera were collectible treasures, part of the N182 series cataloged by collector Jefferson R. Burdick, whose generous gift brought it to The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department. Chromolithography, the innovative printing technique used here, revolutionized mass-produced color imagery in the late Victorian age. By layering multiple lithographic stones inked in different hues, Kimball's printers achieved the card's rich, lifelike tones—evident in Julette's flowing costume and poised stance—making luxury visuals accessible to everyday consumers. This medium democratized art, turning promotional items into miniature masterpieces. Culturally, the *Ballet Queens* series reflects ballet's rising star power in Gilded Age America, where European dancers symbolized exotic allure and sophistication. As affordable souvenirs, these cards fueled a collecting craze, bridging commerce, entertainment, and popular culture. Today, they offer a charming glimpse into how tobacco companies like Kimball captivated audiences with the poetry of dance.

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...