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

Editor: So, this is a promotional cigarette card from 1890 by Kinney Brothers, titled "Miss Myatt, from the Actresses series." It seems to be a photographic print. There's something so antique and tangible about it... what strikes you about this card? Curator: For me, the intriguing aspect is its purpose: mass-produced advertisement for tobacco. Think about the labour involved - from cultivating tobacco to photographic processes, printing, and distribution of millions of cards tucked in cigarette packs. Consider the consumption, not just of tobacco, but of images! Editor: So, the layers of industry are relevant? Curator: Precisely! The card isn't just a portrait; it's a commodity produced by a network of laborers, showcasing how an actress' image became a marketing tool. Also, where do we place such artwork on a hierarchy? It is an industrially created drawing and a photographic print; its location questions the divide of 'fine' art. Editor: That's an interesting point; thinking about it this way gives agency back to all those involved in making it possible. The cultural context seems equally important, and not just for the commercialisation of art. Curator: Indeed. These images reveal attitudes to celebrity culture and gender, too. They point to the growing entertainment industry and celebrity’s commodification as indicators of a budding culture of capitalism. How does this object expand or challenge our accepted ideas? Editor: Seeing it as part of this bigger machine makes it even more relevant. Instead of thinking of this as a simple portrait, I see it as an important visual clue on labour. Thanks for offering me that different point of view! Curator: And I appreciate you pushing me to connect it to broader themes. I learned just as much as you did.