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

This small card featuring Frankie Raymond was part of a series issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards were produced during an era of rapid industrialization and urbanization, when the marketing of tobacco often intersected with representations of femininity and performance. Raymond, an actress, is presented as a figure of classical mythology, complete with a bow and arrow, in a gauzy dress. This conflation of mythological symbolism with commercial advertising speaks to the evolving role of women in popular culture. The image participates in a larger narrative of women as objects of desire, packaged and distributed for consumption. But it also speaks to the changing role of women as performers in the public sphere. Consider how the card compresses complex themes into a small, accessible format. It invites us to reflect on the relationship between art, commerce, and the construction of identity. The card makes visible how images shape and reflect societal values, offering a glimpse into the cultural landscape of its time.