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

This lithograph, made by Goodwin & Company around the turn of the century, was originally printed as a cigarette card. It features a woman dressed in an exaggeratedly masculine style. Printed on thin card stock using chromolithography, the process allowed for mass production of vibrant, colorful images. The layers of ink create a smooth surface, almost belying the complex process involved in making it. This method would have required a division of labor: artists to design the image, skilled technicians to prepare the lithographic stones, and factory workers to operate the printing presses. The card’s glossy finish speaks to its intended use as a collectible item, mass-produced for commercial purposes, and distributed to promote tobacco products. The "Occupations for Women" series reflects a changing social landscape, hinting at evolving gender roles and women's participation in various professions, even if filtered through a commercial lens. Considering the conditions in which such cards were made, we can see how even the most unassuming images are tied to labor, politics, and consumption.