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

This is a promotional trade card produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in the late 19th century. It features a photograph of Laura Moore, an actress of the time, as part of a series advertising Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards offer a glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of the Gilded Age in the United States. The commodification of actresses' images speaks to the burgeoning celebrity culture and the use of popular figures to promote consumer goods. The Kinney Brothers' practice reveals much about the marketing strategies of the era, and the role of tobacco companies in shaping visual culture. Delving into archives of theatrical history and advertising ephemera can help us understand not just the identity of Laura Moore, but also the broader context of how images circulated, and how they shaped perceptions of femininity and fame. The value of art lies in its capacity to reflect and refract the society that produces it.