Bloodhound, from the Dogs of the World series for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of late 19th-century advertising with *Bloodhound*, a charming chromolithograph from Goodwin & Company's *Dogs of World* series, produced in 1890 for Old Judge Cigarettes. petite print (just 1 1/2 x 2 13/16 inches) captures the noble profile of the bloodhound, one of 50 cards in the set celebrating canine breeds from around the globe. Issued as promotional inserts in cigarette packs, these ephemera cards fueled a collecting craze among Americans during the Gilded Age, turning everyday smokes into treasures. The medium—a commercial color lithograph—highlights the era's printing revolution. Chromolithography allowed for vivid, multi-layered colors on a massive scale, making high-quality illustrations affordable and accessible. Goodwin & Company, a leading tobacco firm, leveraged this technique to blend artistry with marketing, transforming simple dog portraits into collectible art that appealed to dog lovers and hobbyists alike. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece exemplifies how ephemera preserves slices of popular culture. It reminds us of the bloodhound's storied role as a tracker and family companion, while showcasing how commerce and creativity intersected in Victorian America. A delightful glimpse into a bygone collecting passion!

About the Artist

Goodwin & 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...