Tarantella, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

"Tarantella," a lithograph from Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company's "National Dances" series, offers a glimpse into the late 19th-century American fascination with global cultures. This image, part of a promotional campaign, depicts a woman in what's meant to be traditional Italian garb, performing the Tarantella, a folk dance from Southern Italy. But it’s not just about the dance itself; it's about how American businesses used exoticized versions of foreign cultures to sell their products. The imagery is a mix of real and imagined details, reflecting a broader trend of cultural appropriation and the construction of stereotypes. These images, distributed widely, played a role in shaping popular perceptions of different nationalities. Understanding the power dynamics at play—who is representing whom, and for what purpose—requires us to dig into the archives of advertising history and the social history of immigration. By examining these sources, we can better understand the complex interplay between commerce, culture, and representation in the 19th century.