Face A. L'ennemi, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This small card was made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, most likely around the turn of the 20th century, to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It is part of a larger series of collectible cards featuring actresses. Here, we see a woman in a bathing suit. It's titled 'Face A. L'ennemi', which translates from French to 'Facing the Enemy'. This image reflects several historical trends. As leisure time increased, there was growing interest in activities such as swimming. This was also a period of increasing commercialism. Tobacco companies, like the Kinney Brothers, used images of actresses to appeal to consumers and promote their products. We also see the influence of French culture on American advertising. Historians consult trade publications, company records, and cultural ephemera to understand these kinds of images and the social and commercial contexts they operated in. As we see in this card, even something as small as a cigarette card can reveal insights into society, culture, and the institutions that shape them.