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

Art Historical Context

This charming 1890 color lithograph depicts a Maltese and belongs to the “Dogs the World” series issued by Goodwin & Company as inserts for Old Judge Cigarettes. Measuring just 1 ½ by 2 13/16 inches, the card was designed to fit neatly inside a cigarette package, turning an everyday purchase into an for collecting. Produced through commercial color lithography, the features bright, crisp hues that made the tiny image both eye-catching and affordable for mass distribution. In the late nineteenth century, tobacco companies pioneered the use of colorful trading cards to build brand loyalty and encourage repeat purchases. Goodwin & Company, a leading American firm, created dozens of themed sets featuring animals, athletes, and flags. The “Dogs of the World” series capitalized on the era’s growing fascination with purebred pets, presenting each breed in a neat, informative format that appealed to both children and adults. Today this modest ephemera resides in the Metropolitan Museum’s Drawings and Prints department as part of the renowned Jefferson R. Burdick Collection. Its presence in a major museum underscores how commercial lithography helped shape popular visual culture and how everyday printed objects can offer vivid glimpses into the tastes and pastimes of their time.

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...