Edith St. Clair, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This is a sepia-toned photograph of actress Edith St. Clair, who is playing a banjo while sitting on a fence. The image is part of the "Actresses" series of trading cards, commissioned by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1890 to promote their "Sweet Caporal" brand of cigarettes. The card is a prime example of a popular marketing strategy of the era - using attractive images of celebrities to attract attention and encourage brand loyalty. These cards are now highly collectible items among enthusiasts of vintage tobacco advertising.