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

This photograph of Miss Raymond was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional insert for their Sporting Extra Cigarettes. It’s a mass-produced object, created through industrial processes, that would have been churned out in vast numbers. The photograph’s sepia tone conveys a sense of nostalgia, harking back to a bygone era. However, we should also remember that it was originally conceived as disposable ephemera, designed to be collected and traded by consumers of tobacco products. The very act of distribution was deeply entwined with the growth of consumer culture and the rise of mass marketing techniques. While the image itself may seem harmless, we need to consider the social context in which it was produced and consumed. The Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company were part of an industry that profited from addiction and exploited labor. So this seemingly innocent photograph also speaks to the darker side of consumerism and industrial capitalism. In this context, it challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.