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

This small card featuring actress Laura Moore was made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Printed on paper, a mass-produced object, this card speaks volumes about the intersection of commerce, celebrity, and consumer culture in the late 19th century. The sepia-toned image, likely achieved through a photographic printing process, captures Moore in costume, her theatrical persona carefully crafted for public consumption. The card's small size and distribution method—tucked into cigarette packs—made it a readily accessible commodity. The Kinney Brothers harnessed the power of celebrity endorsement to boost sales, capitalizing on Moore's fame. By placing this image within the reach of everyday smokers, the Kinney Brothers blurred the boundaries between art, entertainment, and commerce. It's a reminder that even seemingly ephemeral objects can offer valuable insights into the social and economic forces that shape our world.