Miss Cozzoi, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This is Miss Cozzoi, a photograph produced as a cigarette card by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. This belongs to a series of images featuring actresses, a popular collectible at the time. The image embodies the intertwined relationship between commercial culture and the entertainment industry in late 19th century America. Actresses, like Miss Cozzoi, became commodities, their likenesses used to sell tobacco products. The image creates meaning through a blend of visual codes and cultural references. Miss Cozzoi is dressed in what appears to be a theatrical costume referencing historical European fashion. The cards were a tool for advertising in a rapidly industrializing society, reflecting the increasing importance of consumer culture. The actress, the tobacco company, and the consumer were all part of this emerging economy of spectacle. Understanding such images requires careful historical research, delving into archives of commercial ephemera, theater history, and advertising. Only then can we understand the complex social forces at play.