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

This photograph of Grace Lebey comes from a series of actress portraits, made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, to promote their Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The albumen print, a popular photographic process in the 19th century, involved coating paper with egg white and then silver nitrate, creating a surface that captured fine detail. The sepia tone, achieved through the developing process, gives the image its antique feel. These cards were essentially advertisements, mass-produced and included in cigarette packs. The card’s small size and glossy surface made it a collectible item, fueling consumerism. The choice of an actress as the subject speaks to the burgeoning entertainment industry and the commodification of celebrity. The Kinney Brothers harnessed these trends to promote their product, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and commerce. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple objects like this connect to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, challenging our traditional understanding of fine art.