Rowing, from the Pretty Athletes series (N196) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American ephemera with *Rowing*, a charming commercial color lithograph from the *Pretty* series (N196), issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889 and printed by Julius Bien &. This petite card, measuring just 3 /4 × 2 1/2 inches, captures women rowers in dynamic action, blending athletic prowess with idealized feminine grace. Produced as a promotional insert for tobacco products, it reflects the era's clever marketing tactics, where cigarette packs doubled as collectible albums of sports stars—real and imagined. Chromolithography, the medium's hallmark, allowed for vivid, multi-layered colors on a mass scale, making these cards accessible and eye-catching. Julius Bien & Co., renowned lithographers, brought the scene to life with precise detailing on oars, water splashes, and flowing garments, showcasing the technique's commercial artistry. Culturally, the card highlights the nascent visibility of women in sports during the Gilded Age, when rowing symbolized emerging female empowerment amid strict gender norms—yet the "Pretty" moniker nods to the male gaze of tobacco consumers. Today, housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this ephemera gem offers a window into advertising history, popular culture, and the slow march of women's athletic representation. A delightful snapshot of innovation and aspiration!

About the Artist

William S. Kimball & Company|Julius Bien & Co. · 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...