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

This is a promotional card for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, made around the turn of the century by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. The card, a mass-produced object, is a printed reproduction of a photograph of Lettie Meredith, an actress of the period. The making of this card is a fascinating blend of art, industry, and commerce. Photography, which was itself a relatively new medium, was combined with printing technologies to create an object meant for mass consumption. The image, while seemingly straightforward, is carefully composed to present Lettie Meredith in a glamorous light, essential for attracting customers to the Sweet Caporal brand. The card’s small size and the nature of its production allowed it to be widely distributed. It’s important to remember that this card, like many others of its kind, was a product of its time, reflecting the rise of consumer culture and the increasing importance of advertising in everyday life. It prompts us to consider the complex interplay between art, commerce, and the social values of the period.