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

Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company created this promotional card featuring Hope Ross as part of the Actresses series for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The sepia tone and compact size immediately give it a feeling of antiquated charm. Consider the formal composition: a woman in a light, flowing dress gestures with her right hand, drawing the viewer's eye upwards. To the left is a chair, rendered with intricate detail, which anchors the composition and provides a sense of depth. This arrangement is no accident; the intent was to create an association between the actress’s allure and the consuming of Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The card operates within a network of signs, with Hope Ross herself acting as a signifier of beauty, sophistication, and aspiration, all cleverly linked to the consumption of the product. The actress's forward pointing hand creates a focal point which emphasizes the card's function as a tool of advertising and cultural messaging.