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

"Ada Melrose" is a sepia-toned photograph from the "Actresses" series, created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1890 to promote Sweet Caporal cigarettes. The image features Ada Melrose, a popular actress of the time, seated on a stool, wearing a light-colored dress with frills and a lace collar. The image showcases the popular trend of using celebrity endorsements in advertising during the late 19th century. This small, 6.4 x 3.7 cm photograph was printed on a card and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's extensive collection of trade cards and ephemera.