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

This small card portraying Dorothy Morton is part of a series produced around the turn of the 20th century by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as promotional items for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The sepia tone gives the photograph a soft, almost dreamlike quality, emphasizing its vintage feel. The composition directs our gaze upward, following the actress's line of sight. This upward orientation is reinforced by the vertical format of the card itself, creating a sense of aspiration. The framing of Morton, slightly off-center, invites a dynamic reading of the image. The heart pendant hanging around her neck acts as a focal point, subtly linking romance to the experience of smoking. The card isn't just an advertisement but a cultural artifact reflecting the period's values and aesthetics. These cards, distributed with cigarettes, entered into a broader circulation of images and meanings, blurring the lines between commerce, art, and popular culture.