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

Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company produced this small card as part of a series to promote Sporting Extra Cigarettes. Actresses, like Miss Johnston, were among the popular subjects of the time. These cards reflect an era when celebrity culture was on the rise and mass media began to shape public perceptions of beauty and success. As a promotional item, this card served to associate the actress's glamour with the Kinney Brothers brand, subtly suggesting that consumers could aspire to a similar allure through their product. Such images contributed to the construction of femininity, portraying women as objects of admiration and desire. Consider how this image both empowered and objectified Miss Johnston, caught between the allure of fame and the constraints of representation. It prompts us to think about the historical gaze and the complex interplay of identity, performance, and consumption.