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

This card featuring Kittie Mitchell comes from a series of actresses produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as promotional items for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It was made in the United States. These small cards functioned much like baseball cards do today. In the late 19th century, when this card was made, advertising was still a developing field. Tobacco companies used images of actresses, athletes, and other popular figures to associate their products with glamour and success. Actresses, like Kittie Mitchell, were early celebrities, and their images helped to sell products in a burgeoning consumer culture. This card exemplifies how the entertainment and tobacco industries intertwined to shape public desires and fuel consumerism. Understanding the context of this image requires us to consider the history of advertising, the rise of celebrity culture, and the social norms of the time. Resources like trade journals, company records, and biographical information about the actresses can shed light on the cultural significance of these cards.