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

This small card featuring Lillian Price comes from a series of actresses produced by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Made in the United States, these cards were a cultural phenomenon of the late 19th century. They offer a glimpse into the social and economic landscape of the time. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs as a marketing strategy. They became highly collectible items, reflecting the growing popularity of both tobacco and celebrity culture. The images often presented idealized versions of feminine beauty and success on the stage, helping to shape public perceptions of actresses. What does this tell us about the status of actresses at that time? Were they presented as glamorous, respectable figures, or were they seen as something more subversive? To understand the broader social context, we can look at theater programs, newspapers, and other period documents. That will reveal what was the public role of the actress as a cultural figure, and how that role was being shaped by these popular images.