Cocker Spaniel, from the Dogs of the World series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

This is "Cocker Spaniel", a chromolithograph from the "Dogs of the World" series, made by Goodwin & Company as a promotional item for Old Judge Cigarettes in the late 19th century. These cards were a product of their time, reflecting an era of industrialization, mass production, and, of course, tobacco consumption. The series of cards tells us a lot about the values of the time; what was deemed worthy of representation and circulation? This card portrays the Cocker Spaniel as a symbol of domesticated companionship, a dog bred for leisure and sport, but also, perhaps, symbolic of status and belonging in a burgeoning consumer culture. Note the attention to detail in rendering the dog's coat, and its alert stance. The card invites viewers to appreciate the Cocker Spaniel as a distinct breed, contributing to the emerging culture of pet ownership. The emotional resonance of this image lies in its depiction of the human-animal bond. It evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. The cultural values and the marketing strategies of a rapidly changing society are reflected in this small but evocative image.