Leicester, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th celebrity culture with *Leicester, from the and Actresses series (171) for Old Judgearettes*, produced by Goodwin & Company around 1886–90. This petite albumen photograph captures a portrait of the actress Leicester, one of many glamorous figures featured in this popular series. Tucked into packs of Old Judge Cigarettes these cards were savvy marketing tools that fueled a collecting frenzy among Americans, turning everyday smokers into avid hobbyists. The albumen process, a hallmark of 19th-century photography, coated paper with egg whites sensitized with silver salts, yielding rich tones and fine detail in this tiny 2 11/16 x 1 3/8-inch format. As ephemera—those delightful, disposable-yet-treasured items—these cards bridged art, advertising, and fandom, immortalizing stage stars like Leicester amid the Gilded Age's theater boom. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece highlights how commercial photography democratized portraiture, blending commerce with cultural icons. Today, it whispers of a time when actresses were trailblazing celebrities, their images traded like treasures, offering a glimpse into the era's blend of entertainment and ephemera.

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...