Tessie Butler, from the Actresses series (N246), Type 1, issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sporting Extra Cigarettes 1888 - 1892

This is a trade card of Tessie Butler, from the Actresses series, printed by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, probably in the 1880s. It's made of thin card stock, with a photographic image and text printed on its surface. The sepia tone gives the image a soft, antique quality. The texture is smooth but with a very slight grain, a direct result of the printing process which was part of a larger system of capitalist production, a form of advertising, distributed with packs of cigarettes. Consider how this image would have been consumed. Cigarette cards like these were immensely popular, collected and traded by adults and children alike. They served as a kind of social currency, a way to connect with others through shared interests and hobbies. The images featured on these cards offered a glimpse into the world of popular culture, showcasing actresses and other performers who were admired and celebrated. So, next time you light up, think about the ways in which even the most mundane objects can be imbued with cultural meaning and value.