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

This photograph of Flo Williams, from the Actresses series, was produced by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Note the tree she perches upon, from which Flo points, with her gaze following the outstretched hand, guiding us to an unseen future. The motif of a figure within the natural world is one that echoes through time. Think of Daphne, transformed into a laurel tree to escape Apollo, forever rooted, yet eternally free from pursuit. Here, Flo, atop her tree, seems to command her own destiny. The pointing gesture itself is powerful – a symbol of direction and intent. We can trace it back to classical oratory, where a speaker would use emphatic gestures to persuade an audience. The image engages us on a deep, subconscious level, evoking the collective memories of folklore, theatre, and advertisement. It serves as a reminder of how symbols continuously resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.