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

This photograph of Florence Roberts comes from a series made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Printed on a small card, it was designed to be collected and traded. What’s interesting is how photography, a relatively new technology at the time, was being harnessed to build brand loyalty. The image itself is a product, conceived to circulate within a burgeoning consumer culture. The photographic process is critical. The tonal range, sepia color, and the very texture of the print contribute to its appeal. Note the sharp focus on Roberts' face, drawing the eye. This wasn't about high art; it was about mass production. Photography democratized image-making, making celebrity accessible to all, one cigarette card at a time. This piece challenges our notions of art by linking it directly to commerce, labor, and the everyday habits of people.