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

This is a photograph of Lotta Meredith, part of a series of actresses, produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. It was made as a promotional insert for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards were printed using industrial techniques in the late 19th century. They were collected and traded, effectively creating a new visual economy, one intimately linked with mass production and consumption. The photograph itself, though seemingly straightforward, represents a complex intersection of labor, entertainment, and commerce. Someone had to pose, someone had to take the photograph, someone had to print it. The choice of subject - an actress - also speaks to the burgeoning entertainment industry of the time, and the increasing commodification of leisure. The photograph is not simply a portrait but a carefully constructed image intended to sell a product. Looking at this card, we can see how even the most unassuming objects can reveal larger truths about society, labor, and the marketplace.