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

This is a promotional card for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes featuring Lettie Meredith, made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. The sepia tone gives the image a nostalgic feel, casting the actress in a warm, yet faded light. The composition is quite simple: Meredith is centered, striking a pose with arms outstretched, creating a sense of openness and invitation. Note how the flatness of the card emphasizes the two-dimensionality of the image. This flatness challenges traditional portraiture, reducing the figure to a signifier of celebrity rather than a representation of an individual. The small scale further distances the viewer, turning Meredith into a collectible object, a commodity to be consumed. Consider how the structure and materiality of this card reflect broader cultural codes of celebrity and consumption in the late 19th century. The card invites us to reflect on the interplay between art, commerce, and identity.