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

Curator: This is a fascinating glimpse into the late 19th century. What we have here is a photograph, reproduced as a print, featuring Laura Wood. It's from a series of actresses (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers around 1890 as promotional items for their Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Editor: Hmm, cigarettes and actresses... well that paints a certain picture, doesn't it? My first thought is how very *soft* it feels. It's like a faded dream. That sepia tone just whispers nostalgia, even if I don’t have a clue who Laura Wood was. Curator: Precisely! The cards were distributed within cigarette packs, encouraging consumers to collect the entire set. The Actresses series reflects a broader cultural phenomenon: the rising popularity of actresses and stage personalities and the growing integration of advertising into everyday life. Editor: It's interesting how advertising co-opts the fame, the allure, or whatever of the actress and somehow transmutes it into an unspoken recommendation. It's an intimate gesture, isn't it? Tucking her away into a pack. As an artist, the photo looks heavily retouched too, perhaps to highlight a particular idea of idealized beauty? Curator: Indeed, the portrait photographs often underwent retouching and manipulation. What's significant here is the commercial function. Laura Wood’s image wasn't merely artistic expression; it was strategically employed to sell tobacco products and normalize the public image of the 'modern woman'. The card served as a vehicle for branding and consumer engagement within a growing consumer culture. Editor: What is interesting for me is, whether Laura knew of this at the time and whether or not she signed off on her image being on a cigarette packet? The composition is beautiful and her image is appealing, there's an innocence too that seems in contrast with this slightly, shadowy world! I feel she’s looking right through the fourth wall. Curator: Right, many performers endorsed all kinds of goods, and with the industry booming in America, who knew which endorsement might hit! Thinking about the broader narrative, we are witnessing here the transformation of celebrity into a tradable asset. And I see this as an intriguing look into the intersection of advertising, entertainment, and social identity. Editor: Right. As an image maker it’s that direct gaze, her coquettish pose; I’m suddenly wondering how this seemingly demure advert actually opened up a whole new world of independence for women, both as the consumers but as well as performers. I would have loved to meet her and thank her!