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

This black and white photograph, part of the "Actresses" series, features Theresa Vaughn, a popular actress of the late 19th century. The Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, known for its Sweet Caporal cigarettes, commissioned this series of cards as promotional items. This particular card shows Vaughn with a cat and is a charming example of the company's use of celebrity endorsements in their advertising. The card is a snapshot of 19th century theatrical culture and offers a glimpse into the popular taste of the time. This small, but important, piece of ephemera is now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.