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

This is Frankie Raymond, captured by the Kinney Brothers tobacco company in a promotional image. Here she holds a parasol, an object laden with meaning far beyond mere sun protection. Notice how the parasol, elevated above her head, echoes the gesture of classical figures bearing laurel wreaths or standards, symbols of triumph and authority. This pose, reminiscent of ancient Roman imagery, suggests not just elegance, but also a subtle assertion of power. The parasol, once a symbol of royalty and divinity in ancient civilizations, has traversed continents and centuries, morphing from a sacred emblem to a fashionable accessory. Its evolution speaks to the fluid nature of symbols, how they adapt and are reinterpreted in different cultural contexts. Perhaps, subconsciously, the viewer of this image recognizes the emotional power in this pose, linking the actress to a lineage of powerful figures from history. Through the cyclical progression of time, this simple accessory becomes a potent symbol of status, beauty, and enduring influence.