Water Dog, from the Dogs of the World series for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

In the late 19th century, cigarette manufacturers like Goodwin & Company cleverly boosted sales through collectible trade cards, and *Water Dog* is a charming example from their *Dogs of the World* produced around 1890. These tiny chromolithographs—measuring just 1 ½ x 2 13/16 inches—were tucked into Old Judge cigarette packs, enticing smokers to collect the full set of international dog breeds. Depicting a sturdy water dog, likely a retriever or spaniel suited for retrieving game from water, it captures Victorian fascination with purebred dogs as symbols of status and utility. Printed via commercial color lithography, a breakthrough technique using multiple lithographic stones for vibrant, layered hues, this ephemera exemplifies mass-produced graphic art at its peak. Affordable and eye-catching, these cards turned advertising into pocket-sized treasures, blending artistry with commerce during America's Gilded Age boom in consumer culture. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, *Water Dog* highlights how everyday objects preserve social history—from canine breeding trends to the rise of branded collectibles. A delightful glimpse into a bygone era, it reminds us how even the smallest prints can fetch big cultural value.

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...