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

This is a promotional trade card of Olga Brandon from the Actresses series, created by Kinney Brothers to advertise Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. In late 19th-century America, commercial images like this one played a key role in shaping cultural values and popular taste. The card is a window into the world of celebrity and consumerism. It depicts Olga Brandon, a stage actress, whose image is used to promote a tobacco product. This conflation of the stage and the marketplace reflects the increasing commercialization of entertainment and the rise of celebrity culture. These trade cards were cheap to produce, widely distributed, and aimed to make stars more accessible to the general public. To understand the significance of this card, we can explore the history of advertising, the development of celebrity culture, and the changing role of women in American society. By studying these historical resources, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the complex social and institutional forces that shaped the production and reception of this seemingly simple image.