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

This is a promotional image of Adelaide Prince, part of the "Actresses" series by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, intended to market Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards existed within a burgeoning commercial culture, but more interestingly, they speak to the evolving role of women in public life at the turn of the 20th century. Actresses, like Adelaide Prince, became some of the first celebrities. Their images circulated widely, shaping ideals of beauty and femininity. Yet, this fame came at a price; actresses were often subject to intense public scrutiny and moral judgment. Here, Prince is depicted in a somewhat unconventional manner. She is in a costume with a distinct lack of conventional, feminine frills. The outfit speaks to how actresses, in assuming different roles, negotiated and sometimes challenged the rigid gender norms of the time. While seemingly a simple advertisement, this card reflects the complex interplay between commerce, identity, and representation in shaping our understanding of women in society.