Yachting, from the Games and Sports series (N165) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of19th-century Americana with *Yachting*, a charming chromolithograph from Goodwin & Company's Games and Sports (N165) for Old Judge Cigarettes, produced in 1889. This petite print, measuring just 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches, captures the thrill of yachting with women at the helm amid sleek boats on sparkling waters. As a commercial color lithograph, it showcases the era's advanced printing techniques, where multiple lithographic stones layered vivid hues to create affordable, eye-catching images for mass distribution. These cards were savvy marketing tools tucked into cigarette packs, sparking a collecting craze among enthusiasts of all ages. Goodwin & Company, a leading tobacco firm, issued series like this to glamorize sports and leisure, reflecting the Gilded Age's obsession with recreation and emerging pastimes like yachting. The focus on women underscores shifting social norms, portraying them as active participants in a traditionally elite sport. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a treasure trove of ephemera—this tiny artifact offers big insights into advertising history, popular culture, and the artistry of commercial printing. It's a delightful window into how everyday indulgences fueled artistic innovation and collector passion.

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...