Esther Palliser, from the Actresses series (N246), Type 1, issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sporting Extra Cigarettes 1888 - 1892

This card featuring actress Esther Palliser was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, as one of many in a series used to promote their Sporting Extra Cigarettes. Printed on thin card stock, the photographic image would have been mechanically reproduced en masse. These collectible cards reflect the rise of both mass media and mass production, and invite us to consider the connections between labor, leisure, and consumption in the late 19th century. The card’s sepia tone suggests the photographic process used and speaks to a specific moment in the history of image-making, far removed from our own era of digital photography. The mass production of these cards for promotional purposes speaks to a shift in the understanding of celebrity, where images of actors and other public figures were circulated widely. This speaks to a burgeoning culture of celebrity driven by industrial capitalism and the increasing accessibility of consumer goods. By considering the materials, the mode of production, and the cultural context of this small card, we gain insight into the intersection of art, industry, and society.