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

Curator: My first impression? Feisty! She’s got her arms crossed like she’s daring you to say something. A tiny rebel in sepia tones. Editor: Indeed! We are looking at "Miss Wilson," a trade card from 1890 produced by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, as part of their Actresses series. It's a photographic print. These were immensely popular promotional items back then, included right in the cigarette packs. Curator: So, a Victorian-era pin-up, essentially. I adore the audacity! The faux-military outfit, the slight smirk... It’s both demure and defiant. She looks like a porcelain doll who's about to lead a revolution. I'm curious though, where's her name and cigarette brand mentioned in this small format? Editor: Her name is subtly printed along the lower edge of the card just above the mention of Kinney Brothers cigarettes. Curator: Oh! You’re right, she is wearing her advertising sign discreetly. Do we know if Miss Wilson was indeed an actress? It adds a layer, doesn't it, this performance within a performance? Editor: Most likely, yes. These cards were extremely popular and featured known performers to attract clientele, adding value to the product being advertised. The series offered consumers not just cigarettes, but also a slice of popular culture and glamour. And for the performers, the advertisements could give publicity for a growing audience. Curator: The artistry here, for what was essentially a throwaway item, is rather stunning. The composition, the lighting... It elevates it beyond mere advertising. You can imagine her dreams, her ambitions… even compressed onto a tiny card. There’s a depth there that surprises me. It makes you ponder about women's positionality, even a powerful and emancipated image as such continues being perceived as something to be traded and collected… Editor: Exactly. It offers a lens into the complex socio-political forces at play at the time and even still in this era of consumerism. These cards tell us so much about the construction of celebrity, marketing, and even societal values, things we still contend with today. Curator: It's fascinating how something so small can contain so much. Makes you want to track down her life story, doesn’t it? Or perhaps write a play about her! Editor: Absolutely. The beauty and tragedy is she's a mystery that prompts one to think critically and deeply. These little time capsules can be profound.