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

Editor: This is a cabinet card from 1890 by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, part of their "Actresses" series, featuring Frankie Raymond. The sepia tones and the theatrical costume give it a charmingly old-fashioned feel. What can you tell me about the cultural context of these promotional portraits? Curator: Absolutely. These cards, while seemingly simple advertisements, provide a fascinating lens through which to examine the social and cultural landscape of the late 19th century. Consider how these images promoted both the actress, Frankie Raymond, and Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. How do you think that positioning shaped the perception of women in that era? Editor: I guess it reinforced the idea of women, especially actresses, as objects of consumption. It seems to conflate performance and commodity. Curator: Precisely. And note the performative nature of her gaze, the careful staging of her costume, the visibility afforded by the image as a promotional tool. It's a controlled visibility, meant to appeal to a certain male gaze. How does the availability of such portraits relate to broader discussions around female agency and representation during this time? Editor: I see. It’s like she's given a platform, but on whose terms? How much control did actresses like Frankie really have? Were there other ways women artists or performers negotiated their place in the public eye during this time? Curator: A critical question. While cards like these seem trivial, they are important primary sources, opening doors to discussing pressing issues related to female identity, commercialism, and the complexities of representation. I hope we can interrogate that relationship going forward. Editor: I hadn't considered this card holding such deeper meanings about female performance, commercialism, and power.