Rose Coghlan in Costume of a Woman of Kabyle, Algiers, Africa, from the set Actors and Actresses, First Series (N70) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1889

This is a promotional card of Rose Coghlan dressed as a woman of Kabyle, Algiers, made in the United States for the W. Duke & Sons cigarette brand in the late 19th century. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, part of a marketing strategy tapping into the Victorian era’s fascination with exoticism and distant lands. The image presents a mediated view of Algerian culture, filtered through the lens of American commercial interests. The turban, jewelry, and clothing are likely approximations, reflecting a general, Western idea of North African dress rather than an accurate representation. It’s worth remembering that Algeria was under French colonial rule at this time. The card is not simply a harmless depiction, but participates in the broader colonial project of representing and therefore possessing the ‘Orient.’ To fully understand this image, we need to look at the history of colonialism, advertising, and the construction of cultural stereotypes. Such research brings us closer to understanding the complex politics of imagery.