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

"Loise Mortimer," from the "Actresses" series is a 1890 promotional card issued by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to advertise their "Sweet Caporal" cigarettes. This black and white photographic portrait depicts the actress Loise Mortimer standing in a dramatic pose with her arms outstretched, leaning on what appears to be a decorative lattice, her attire reminiscent of a theatrical costume. The card is an example of the use of celebrities in product marketing, a common practice in the late 19th century. The image exemplifies the aesthetic and cultural trends of the Gilded Age, as well as the evolving role of women in American society.