Herald, from the Occupations for Women series (N166) for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes 1887

This is “Herald, from the Occupations for Women series,” a lithograph trading card made by Goodwin & Company. The image is a product of industrial processes—the mechanization of printing allowing for the cheap production of such cards for mass consumption. Consider how the production of such a card would have been organized. This chromolithograph depended on the division of labor, with the original design likely outsourced to an illustrator, then reproduced and printed by factory workers. The material qualities of the card—its smooth, uniform surface and bright colors—speak to this industrial mode of production. The image itself also reflects labor practices, depicting an idealized version of women's work in the late 19th century. In this sense, the card functions as both an advertisement and a social document, reflecting the changing roles of women in a rapidly industrializing society. It is a small object, but it speaks volumes about the intersection of labor, gender, and consumer culture.