Miss Linzuisk, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

Editor: So, here we have "Miss Linzuisk," a photographic print from around 1886-1890, made by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. The actress is posed as a sort of adventurer, maybe a pirate. What's interesting to you about the imagery in this piece? Curator: Well, let’s consider what "Old Judge" hoped to evoke by associating their product with the actress as a "noble savage." What are the signifiers? The pose, hand shielding the eyes to peer into the distance, speaks of exploration. Her costume reads like a gender-bent Robinson Crusoe, reflecting the colonial fantasies of the period. It's about conquering, isn't it? Editor: Yes, I see what you mean. It's not just a portrait; it's using her image to sell an idea of adventure and, implicitly, dominance. How much of that would consumers pick up at the time, though? Curator: Subconsciously, at least. The association between cigarettes and exotic, 'uncharted' territories subtly linked smoking to the supposed bravery of colonizers. The actress herself becomes a symbol of this dominion, willingly or not. Isn’t it powerful how seemingly innocuous imagery can carry such weight? Editor: Absolutely. It's a reminder that even something as simple as a cigarette card can tell a much larger, and potentially problematic, story. It makes me consider how advertising uses those visual cues today. Curator: Precisely! These commercial images are designed to communicate more than just a product's attributes, aren't they? Editor: Definitely. It really changes how I look at even the smallest historical details. Curator: And that’s the enduring power of these symbolic artifacts!