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

This is a photograph of Miss Copelo, printed by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as part of a series of actresses used to advertise cigarettes. These cards were produced in the United States, likely in the late 19th century, a period marked by the rise of consumer culture. Kimball’s company wasn’t necessarily interested in promoting the arts. Rather, they were using celebrity images as a tool to brand their product and boost sales. The actresses, through their fame and perceived glamour, helped to associate smoking with sophistication and allure. Consider the implications of the image itself: Miss Copelo is posed in an idealized natural setting, evoking notions of beauty and purity that are cleverly linked with a habit-forming product. As historians, we look to sources like business records, advertising archives, and social commentaries from the time to reveal how such images played a role in shaping consumer behavior and cultural values. The meaning of art often lies not just in its aesthetic qualities, but in the social and institutional forces that bring it into being.