St. Bernard (Smooth), from the Dogs of the World series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

This is St. Bernard (Smooth), from the Dogs of the World series for Old Judge Cigarettes, made by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs to stiffen them and also to advertise the brand. Collecting them became a popular craze, foreshadowing modern-day trading cards. The series reflects the Victorian era's fascination with cataloging and classifying the natural world. Notice how the dog is carefully posed, like a formal portrait, emphasizing its breed characteristics for potential buyers. The barrel around its neck speaks to the St. Bernard's reputation as a heroic rescue dog in the Swiss Alps, a powerful marketing image. These cards offer insights into the cultural values and consumer habits of the time. Advertising ephemera like this, found in archives and historical societies, is a rich resource to understand the social context of art. Studying popular culture reveals the complex relationship between art, commerce, and society.