Saint Enegat, from the Fancy Bathers series (N187) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with *Saint Enegat, the Fancy Bathers seriesN187)*, a charming commercial color lithograph produced by William S. Kimball & Company 1889. This print, measuring just 2 11/16 × 1 1/2 inches, captures a whimsical scene likely featuring an elegant female bather, evoking the era's fascination with graceful women in leisure. Issued as part of a collectible tobacco card series, it reflects the playful marketing tactics of Kimball, a prominent American cigar manufacturer. Chromolithography, the innovative printing technique used here, allowed for vivid, multi-layered colors on a mass scale—revolutionizing commercial art by making luxurious imagery accessible and affordable. These ephemeral cards were tucked into cigarette packs, enticing collectors with their "fancy bathers" theme, a nod to Victorian ideals of beauty and fantasy. The pseudonym "Saint Enegat" adds a humorous, saintly twist, blending piety with pin-up allure. Preserved in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece highlights ephemera's cultural role: not just ads, but miniature artworks that fueled a trading card craze. It offers a delightful glimpse into Gilded Age consumerism and the artistry of everyday objects.

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...