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

"Amy Wells" is a cabinet card from the "Actresses" series, created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1890 to promote Sweet Caporal cigarettes. The card features a sepia-toned photograph of actress Amy Wells, seated and looking directly at the viewer, creating a sense of intimacy. The card is a prime example of the use of celebrity endorsements in advertising and offers a glimpse into the world of late 19th-century American theater. Cabinet cards, popular during this period, were often collected and traded, demonstrating the power of ephemera in shaping public perception.