Actress from the Old Judge series (N167) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American advertising with this petite commercial lithograph from the Old Judge Cigarettes series (N167), produced in 1886 by Goodwin & Company in collaboration with Giles Lithographic Company. Measuring just 2½ x 1½ inches, this tiny portrait captures an unidentified actress, emblematic of the era's fascination with theater stars. Inserted into packs of Old Judge cigarettes—a popular brand—these cards were designed as collectibles to entice smokers, transforming everyday tobacco into a gateway for celebrity fandom. Lithography, a revolutionary printing technique, allowed for vivid colors and mass production, making high-quality images affordable and widespread. This ephemera exemplifies the commercial art boom of the Gilded Age, where portraits of women performers bridged entertainment, consumerism, and collecting culture. Actresses symbolized glamour and modernity, appealing to a male-dominated audience while subtly promoting the product. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this card offers a window into how everyday objects became cultural artifacts, preserving a slice of Victorian-era pop culture.

About the Artist

Goodwin & Company|Giles Lithographic Company · 1850–1950

**Goodwin & Company (ca. 1850–1950)** Goodwin & Company, originally established as E. Goodwin and Brother before the American Civil War, emerged as a prominent New York City-based tobacco manufacturer in the mid-19th century. Operating from the bustling heart of Manhattan, the firm built its reputation on popular cigarette brands such as Gypsy Queen and, most notably, Old Judge, which became syno...