Annie St. Tel, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

Editor: This is "Annie St. Tel," a print from around 1890, part of the Actresses series created by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The sepia tones give it such an antique feel, almost like a faded photograph. What's your take on it? Curator: Well, it’s more than just a portrait; it’s a piece of social history. These were trading cards, essentially advertisements slipped into cigarette packs. The actresses chosen weren't necessarily the most talented, but the most visually appealing to a broad audience. Why do you think they chose actresses specifically? Editor: Good question! Maybe because actresses were celebrities, relatable figures? It's a fascinating intersection of commerce, art, and celebrity culture, even back then. How do you think this kind of imagery impacted perceptions of women at the time? Curator: Precisely! Actresses represented a changing ideal of women, independent and visible. But also, understand this image was designed to sell cigarettes. So it reinforces consumer culture but under the guise of accessible fame. What about its function interests you? Editor: Its commercial purpose does cheapen the image. Knowing that it's basically a vintage ad makes me question the authenticity of its artistic merit. Did the average person consider this image to be art back then? Curator: It's unlikely that the average smoker viewed these as 'art' in the way we understand it today, but the image definitely circulated in different social stratas due to its use and fame of the actress. These cards were ephemeral objects. It’s through the cultural institutions that they end up being legitimized as historical documents and perhaps “art.” Editor: So it’s almost like the museum’s act of collecting it that transforms its value. Thanks! Now I can consider the impact of popular imagery. Curator: Yes, it reveals how value is constructed by various social systems. Glad I could help to consider all the historical significance, now that it is viewed in an institution such as a museum.