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

This is Carrie Turner from the Actresses series, a photograph printed on a small card produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. These cards were distributed with Sporting Extra Cigarettes. In the late 19th century, these cards were a popular marketing tool. They offer insight into the cultural values and consumer habits of the time. Here, we see a portrait of Carrie Turner, an actress, likely a figure of admiration and aspiration for many. The Kinney Brothers, as a commercial entity, played a role in shaping popular taste and promoting ideals of beauty and success. The mass production and distribution of these cards reflect the rise of consumer culture in America and the increasing importance of advertising in shaping social norms. To understand the significance of these cards, we can look into archives of advertising history, business records of tobacco companies, and theater ephemera of the late 19th century. This helps us consider how commercial images reflect and influence society.