Venezuela, from the Dancing Girls of the World series (N185) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with *Venezuela, from the Girls of the World seriesN185)*, a charming commercial color lithograph produced by William S. Kimball & Company 1889. This tiny gem, measuring just 2 11/16 × 1 1/2 inches, was part of a popular series of collectible trade cards distributed with Kimball's tobacco products. These ephemera captured the imagination of Victorian collectors, offering glimpses of "exotic" dancers from around the globe in profile poses that evoked rhythm and cultural allure. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized mass printing by layering vibrant colors through multiple lithographic stones, making high-quality illustrations affordable and eye-catching. Issued during a boom in cigarette marketing, such cards blended artistry with commerce, turning everyday purchases into treasures. The Met's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, which includes this piece gifted in his honor, preserves thousands of these playful prints, highlighting their role in American pop culture. Today, *Venezuela* reminds us of Gilded Age fascination with global dance traditions, packaged for Western audiences. Its delicate profile of a dancing girl invites us to ponder how commerce shaped our view of distant cultures. A delightful snapshot of history in your hand!

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...