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

This card, picturing actor Wilson Barrett, was made around the turn of the century by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, using photographic and printing techniques. These cards, called trade cards, were a popular form of advertising, and in this case, were included in packs of Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The image is a sepia-toned photograph, likely printed using a photomechanical process that allowed for mass production. What’s interesting is how the image captures Barrett's theatrical persona. His pose and costume hint at the drama of the stage, while the photographic process flattens the image, turning him into a reproducible commodity. Consider the social context here: the rise of consumer culture, the growing popularity of both theater and cigarettes, and the use of images as a powerful marketing tool. This seemingly simple card bridges the world of entertainment and commerce, blurring the lines between art and advertisement. It reminds us that even the most functional objects carry cultural meaning, and that the materials and methods used to create them are never neutral.