Jessie Story, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

"Jessie Story," from the "Actresses" series, is a sepia-toned photograph produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1890 as part of a promotional campaign for Sweet Caporal cigarettes. The card features a portrait of Jessie Story, an actress of the time, in profile, wearing her hair in a fashionable up-do, captured in a simple, yet elegant, studio setting. These trading cards were widely distributed, becoming popular collectibles and providing glimpses into the lives of famous women during the late 19th century. The card, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, is a testament to the role of popular culture in shaping and reflecting societal trends.