Verbena (Verbena chamaedrifolia), from the Flowers series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

This vibrant Verbena flower was printed by Goodwin & Company as part of a series of collectibles for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards are chromolithographs, a printing process that uses multiple stone or metal plates, one for each color, to create a layered image. What is fascinating about these cards is the way they connect the natural world to industrial production and consumption. Chromolithography allowed for the mass production of colorful, detailed images, making art accessible to a wider audience. Yet, the images were essentially advertisements included with tobacco products. The process involved a division of labor, with artists, engravers, and printers all contributing to the final product. This commodification of art, where images become tied to the sale of goods, reflects the rise of consumer culture in the late 19th century. Considering the materials, processes, and social context of this little card, we can appreciate it not just as an image of a flower, but as a window into the world of industrial production and consumerism that shaped our modern landscape.