Conductor, from the Occupations for Women series (N166) for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

In 1887, Goodwin & Company produced *Conductor*, a vibrant commercial color lithograph from the *Occupations for Women* (N166), issued as inserts for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes. This tiny card (just 2 11/16 x 1 1/2 inches) captures a poised woman in the role of a conductor—likely a train conductor, symbolizing emerging professional opportunities for women during the Gilded Age. These ephemera were wildly popular collectibles, traded by enthusiasts and offering a glimpse into societal shifts as women increasingly entered the workforce amid industrialization and suffrage movements. The artwork exemplifies chromolithography, a pioneering color printing technique that allowed mass production of vivid, detailed images at low cost. Goodwin & Company, a leading New York lithography firm, mastered this method to create appealing advertising premiums, blending commercial savvy with artistic flair. Part of The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it highlights how everyday objects preserved cultural narratives. Culturally, the series challenged Victorian norms by portraying women in "masculine" trades, sparking curiosity and debate. Today, it reminds us of advertising's role in both reflecting and shaping progressive ideals, making this petite print a fascinating window into 19th-century American life.

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...