Miss A.M. Weed, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This small card featuring Miss A.M. Weed was made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It's a photographic print, likely an albumen print, adhered to card stock. The albumen process, which was popular in the 19th century, involved coating paper with egg white to create a glossy surface. The image was then printed using a negative and light-sensitive chemicals, and the final print was often mounted on cardboard for stability. This technique allowed for mass production, aligning perfectly with the rise of consumer culture. The card represents a fascinating intersection of celebrity culture and commerce. The Kinney Brothers used images of actresses to entice consumers to buy their product, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can reveal complex connections between art, labor, and capitalism.