Columbia Stars -- Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Columbia Pictures was founded in 1919 and named Cohn-Brandt-Cohn Film Sales, which got changed to Columbia Pictures in 1924. T

he origin of the name Columbia goes back to 1738 when it was published in the weekly publication of the debates of the British Parliament. It was forbidden to print the debates. To camouflage this they were published as Reports of the Debates of the Senate of Lilliput. Fictional names were thought up for other countries and Columbia was the one used for America, the one responsible for this is most probably Samuel Johnson. The name finally became the female personification of America and was chosen to be the name and logo of the company. It is not clear however on which woman Columbia has been based. source

The original CBC Films Sales logo

1924-1928

Before the Torch lady appeared in 1928 the studio used the image of a female Roman Soldier holding a stick and a shield.

The Columbia Lady (1928-36)

The Columbia Lady introducing (1936-76)