Mlle. Naretti, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This is a trade card of Mlle. Naretti, made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, becoming immensely popular around 1890 in the United States. The image presents a performer, an acrobat, named Mlle. Naretti, likely a stage name, in a theatrical pose. Here, visual codes like her costume, the jungle backdrop and the bar suspended above signal her profession. The image creates meaning through cultural references to the entertainment industry, reflecting the growing fascination with stage performers and the rise of mass media. Such cards became a vehicle for commercial advertising, revealing how the burgeoning consumer culture intersected with popular entertainment. Historians can use these cards to explore the cultural landscape of the late 19th century. By studying them, we gain insight into the social values, marketing strategies, and the evolving relationship between commerce and entertainment.