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

This is a cabinet card, a popular photographic format in the late 19th century, depicting actress Emma Warde. Produced by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1890, the card was part of a series promoting Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The image shows Warde in a theatrical pose, seated in a chair with her legs crossed. She is wearing a feathered hat, a frilly blouse, and a skirt. The card is a prime example of the use of celebrity images in advertising during the late 19th century, and highlights the interconnectedness of entertainment, commerce, and visual culture.