Imperial Counsellor, 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 *Imperial Counsellor*, a charming commercial color lithograph from Goodwin & Company's *Occupations for Women* (N166). Produced in 1887 for Old Judge and Dogs Headarettes, this tiny card—measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 1/2 inches—was tucked into cigarette packs as a collectible premium. The series playfully depicted women in diverse professions, from the whimsical to the aspirational, capturing a moment when expanding opportunities for women sparked cultural fascination. Crafted via chromolithography, a pioneering color printing technique that allowed mass production of vivid, multi-hued images, this ephemera exemplifies commercial art's artistry. The profile view highlights elegant femininity, aligning with the era's stylized portraits and reflecting lithographic precision in small-scale formats. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, *Imperial Counsellor* offers a window into Gilded Age consumer culture, gender norms, and the rise of branded collectibles. These cards weren't just ads—they fueled a collecting craze, preserving snapshots of societal shifts. (198 words)

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...