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

This is a promotional card from the late 19th century, produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. It features Sadie Martinot, a popular actress of the period, and was included in packs of Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards offer a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the time. Actresses were among the first celebrities, and their images were widely circulated through various media, including these tobacco cards. This illustrates how the rising advertising industry, particularly the tobacco industry, played a crucial role in shaping and disseminating images of femininity and celebrity. Consider the social context: What did it mean to be a woman in the public eye during this era? How did commercial products like cigarettes intersect with and reinforce societal expectations of women? To fully appreciate the artwork, we need to consider its function as a promotional tool and its place within the broader history of advertising and consumer culture. Scholarly articles, archives of advertising ephemera, and cultural histories of the late 19th century can help us better understand its significance.