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

This 1890 promotional card from the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company depicts Sadie Martinot, an actress of the time. Part of the "Actresses" series, the card features a portrait of Martinot in profile, wearing a large, elaborate hat and a simple white blouse. This small, sepia-toned card is a prime example of the ephemera produced by tobacco companies to promote their products, utilizing popular figures of the day to reach a wide audience. The card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, offers a glimpse into the world of late 19th-century entertainment and the marketing strategies of the time.