Esther Palliser, from the Actresses series (N246), Type 1, issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sporting Extra Cigarettes 1888 - 1892

This promotional card, created by Kinney Brothers to promote Sporting Extra Cigarettes, depicts the actress Esther Palliser. The cross she wears suspended from a choker is visually arresting, its meaning oscillating between sacred and profane. Once a symbol of profound religious significance, the cross worn as adornment carries complex cultural weight. It reminds me of ancient beliefs, where amulets offered protection. Consider its evolution: from a symbol of martyrdom and redemption to a fashion statement, appropriated across subcultures. This metamorphosis reflects our psychological need to negotiate faith, identity, and rebellion. In Palliser’s time, the cross as a fashion piece might convey a subtle statement of unconventionality. The emotional power of the image lies in this tension, engaging viewers with the symbol’s cyclical journey through history, perpetually resurfacing with new, nuanced meanings.