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

This is a promotional card, “Lillian Prince, from the Actresses series (N245),” produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, sometime in the late nineteenth century. These cards, included in packs of Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, were immensely popular, offering consumers a glimpse into the glamorous world of the stage. Lillian Prince, likely an actress of the period, is depicted in a theatrical pose. These cards reflect the increasing visibility and popularity of women in the performing arts. As women gained prominence on stage, they challenged traditional gender roles, yet their images were often curated through a male gaze for mass consumption. The card operates within the historical context of advertising. The image simultaneously promotes both a commodity and a certain ideal of femininity. What does it mean to consume an image of a woman alongside a product like cigarettes? It is a question about desire, aspiration, and the complex ways in which identity is constructed.