Mlle. Vanda, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

"Mlle. Vanda" is a photograph from the "Actresses" series, created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1890. This trade card, issued to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, features a ballerina named Mlle. Vanda in a striking pose, showcasing her graceful form and the intricate detail of her costume. This photograph, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a fascinating artifact of late 19th-century advertising and the cultural fascination with stage performers. The image is part of a larger series of trade cards featuring actresses of the time, reflecting the popularity of theater and performance in American culture during the period.