Emma Juch

Sepia toned portrait photograph of a woman in party dress faded into a cream background.

Emma Juch (1861-1939) was a popular American soprano opera singer of Austrian decent. From the age of 18 until her marriage in 1894 to former District Attorney Francis L. Wellman, she performed in both operatic and concert stages in the US and abroad. She was the first singer contracted by the newly established American Opera Company in 1886. When it folded a year later, she boldly launched her own company, Emma Juch Opera Company. Juch sang in four languages, designed many of her gowns, and was widely praised.

Sweet Caporal Cigarettes were produced by Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company, New York, starting in 1878. Shortly after, Kinney Bros merged into the giant American Tobacco Company. A.T.C.'s monopoly was broken in 1911 but they retained Sweet Caporal. The popularity of the brand may be linked to its novel use of collectible cigarette cards included in each pack. Some examples were Victorian theater stars, illustrated Mutt and Jeff phrases, American flags, an Aircraft Spotter Series in the 1940s ("Learn to know friend from foe"), and many baseball series over the years. The tobacco company also used promotional buttons series like this to promote their cigarettes. This item was part of the Sweet Caporal's Actresses Series.