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

This is a promotional card from the “Actresses” series, printed by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, featuring Maggie Mitchell, a popular stage actress of the late 19th century. These cards were included in Sweet Caporal Cigarette packs, reflecting how the burgeoning advertising industry was using the fame and faces of women to sell products. The card provides insight into the construction of celebrity and femininity during this period, when actresses like Mitchell were both admired and scrutinized. The image presents her in profile, adorned with an elaborate hat, which speaks to the performative aspect of identity. Maggie Mitchell often played characters who were romantic and virtuous, roles that shaped public perception. However, the object also reveals how women's images were commodified, packaged with tobacco products and consumed by the public. It encourages us to reflect on the complex interplay between fame, gender, and commerce. It leaves us to question how societal expectations and capitalist structures shape the narratives of women then, and now.