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

This is a sepia-toned photograph of the ballerina Margarethe Urbanska, from the Actresses series of trading cards produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1890. The card was part of a series of cards distributed to promote the sale of Sweet Caporal cigarettes. The photo depicts Urbanska in a graceful pose, wearing a traditional ballet tutu and pointe shoes. She is standing on her toes, with her arms outstretched, and her expression is serene. The card is a valuable artifact of early photography and the history of American cigarette advertising. The image is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's permanent collection.