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

This small card, featuring Cora Ray, was mass-produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item. The photographic image was likely captured using industrial methods involving a division of labor. The picture was printed using chemical processes, made possible by advancements of the industrial revolution. The material itself—a thin piece of card—was cheap and easily produced, reflecting a shift towards mass production and consumerism. The material’s inherent qualities such as its small size, light weight, and ability to be easily reproduced, made it ideal for distribution within cigarette packs. The image captures a portrait of Cora Ray. These kinds of images were popular at the time, but also reveal the connections between entertainment, advertising, and consumption in the late 19th century. Recognizing that this card wasn't just a picture, but a carefully crafted commodity, allows us to consider its place within wider systems of labor, politics, and consumer culture.