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

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with *Dandy*, a charming chromolithograph from Goodwin & Company's *Occupations for Women* (N166), produced in 1887 for Old and Dogs Head Cigarettes This tiny gem, measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 1/2 inches, captures a stylish woman embodying the "dandy"—a fashionable figure known for sharp dressing and urban flair. Issued as collectible trade cards tucked into cigarette packs, these were wildly popular, blending whimsy with promotion to entice smokers and collectors alike. The series playfully imagined women in diverse roles, reflecting evolving gender norms amid the Gilded Age's social shifts. Chromolithography, the era's cutting-edge color printing technique, allowed for bold, eye-catching hues on inexpensive paper, making art accessible to the masses. This ephemera highlights commercial innovation, turning everyday tobacco products into coveted keepsakes. Today, housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a treasure trove of printed Americana—*Dandy* evokes nostalgia for a time when smoking was glamorized and women's aspirations were cheekily visualized. A delightful snapshot of cultural crossroads!

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...