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

This albumen silver print was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in the late nineteenth century. It's one of many collectible cards they distributed to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The photographic process involved coating paper with a layer of egg white, or albumen, to create a smooth surface for the silver salts that would capture the image. This technique allowed for sharp, detailed prints, which were essential for the mass production of these cards. Mass production also involved the labor of workers who prepared the chemicals, coated the paper, printed the images, and cut them to size. The fact that the photograph was used as a promotional item reveals a lot about the society of the time, and how mass production and consumerism went hand in hand. This was a period when industrial capitalism was rapidly expanding, and companies were eager to find new ways to market their products. These collectible cards not only served as advertisements but also provided a form of entertainment for consumers. Ultimately, the value of the card lies not only in its visual appeal but also in its connection to broader social and economic forces.