Mamie La Wall, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This card, depicting the actress Mamie La Wall, was printed by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item. It’s made using photomechanical reproduction, a process that allowed images to be cheaply and quickly replicated on a mass scale, and distributed widely. The card's material qualities – its small size, its paper stock – speak volumes about its intended use. These were not meant to be precious artworks, but rather ephemeral objects, included in cigarette packs as an incentive for purchase. The image itself, of an actress in costume, embodies the glamour and spectacle of the stage. However, it’s important to remember that the creation and consumption of these cards were tied to larger social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The tobacco industry relied on the exploitation of workers, and the marketing of cigarettes often targeted vulnerable populations. By examining the materials, the making, and the context of this card, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance, and challenge the traditional distinctions between fine art and commerce.