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

This is a black and white photograph from the “Actresses” series by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, issued in 1890 to promote Sweet Caporal cigarettes. The photograph features actress Anna Suits seated in a chair, holding a fan and looking directly at the viewer. The image is a classic example of the “carte de visite” format, a type of small photograph that was popular in the 19th century. The photograph is a valuable piece of ephemera from the history of American advertising.