Rose Coghlan, from the Actresses and Celebrities series (N60, Type 2) promoting Little Beauties Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products 1887

This is Rose Coghlan, an image made by Allen & Ginter as part of their "Actresses and Celebrities" series to promote Little Beauties Cigarettes. These cards, which were inserted into cigarette packs, offer a fascinating glimpse into the commodification of celebrity and femininity in the late 19th century. Rose Coghlan, a famous actress of her time, is captured here in a pose that emphasizes her beauty and grace. Yet, the context of this image—as a promotional tool for tobacco—complicates our understanding of her representation. Consider the subtle ways in which Coghlan's image, and by extension her identity, is being used to sell a product, embedding her within a burgeoning consumer culture. What does it mean for a woman's likeness to be so directly tied to commerce? The card also speaks volumes about the role of actresses in society, their visibility, and the subtle pressures they faced to conform to certain ideals of beauty. It prompts us to think about the interplay between public persona, private identity, and the economic forces at play in shaping both.