Mannine Palmer, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company

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

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print, photography

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portrait

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print

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photography

Dimensions: Sheet: 2 1/2 × 1 7/16 in. (6.4 × 3.7 cm)

Copyright: Public Domain

Curator: This portrait is from a series of actresses, a print made circa 1890 by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Editor: Oh, Mannine Palmer! She looks so delicate, like a paper doll against that swirly curtain. Almost otherworldly, don’t you think? Curator: In its historical context, it's fascinating how promotional cards became a primary means for circulating images of famous women. It was an intriguing nexus of celebrity culture and capitalist enterprise. Editor: Capitalism and celebrity, always intertwined! But I see her differently, all poised elegance. Is she caught mid-performance? Or does the drape behind hint at some grand backstage drama? Curator: Tobacco companies frequently tapped into the visual culture surrounding popular theater. These images not only sold cigarettes, but also helped cement a broader ideal of feminine beauty and artistry. Editor: Funny, seeing her photo used to hawk coffin nails back in the day makes me reflect how beauty standards get marketed back and forth, then, now, always! The image itself has a quiet presence. It’s a peek behind the curtains—both literal and figurative. Curator: The circulation of such images raises compelling questions about representation. Who gets seen? Whose image is deemed marketable? And who benefits from their commodification? Editor: That's quite a deep dive into one little image. To me, there’s a sense of mystery in the gaze. I see quiet defiance. And what’s so striking, that the backdrop melts right in! It hints that this card contains worlds more. Curator: Exactly, and the trading card format makes these images exceptionally accessible. Editor: In a way, her gaze still dares to peek out. Pretty neat for such a small snapshot in time. Curator: Indeed. It's through revisiting these fleeting images that we uncover broader historical and cultural forces at play.

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