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

This photograph of Ada Melrose was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, as part of a series of cards to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It’s a simple albumen print, a readily available technology at the time that was highly effective for mass production. Cards like these were enormously popular, and speak volumes about the hierarchies of labor, politics, and consumption in the late 19th century. While the photo itself looks effortless, consider the amount of work involved. It starts with growing and processing tobacco, then shifts to the industrial manufacture of cigarettes, printing the images, and finally distribution, with child laborers often employed. While it is easy to see the ‘Actresses’ series as just a commercial venture, it’s also a fascinating record of popular culture. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and commercial products, inviting us to appreciate the nuances of its making and cultural context.