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

This is "Queen Vassar" from the Actresses series, a promotional image made by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. During the late 19th century, these cards were immensely popular and provide a fascinating look into the era’s cultural values. The image presents a seated woman, identified as "Queen Vassar." These cards, although seemingly innocuous, reveal the intertwined dynamics of commerce, entertainment, and the construction of identity. Actresses, like the one depicted here, were public figures, and were among the first celebrities, yet their images were used to promote products, blurring the lines between their personal identity and commercial appeal. The very act of mass-producing and distributing images like "Queen Vassar" speaks to the growing consumer culture of the time. It prompts us to consider the role of women in society, their representation in popular culture, and the ways in which their images were commodified.