Captain Bogardus, Marksman, from the Goodwin Champion series for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1888

This small card of Captain Bogardus, Marksman, was lithographed by Goodwin & Company as part of a promotional series for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes. The chromolithography process allowed for mass production, with each card printed from multiple stones, one for each color. Despite their small size, these cards speak volumes about the culture of their time. The choice of lithography, rather than hand-painting, highlights the rise of industrial production and consumer culture, where even personal endorsements were commodified. These cards were included in cigarette packs, turning everyday consumption into an opportunity for collecting and advertising. The smooth surface and vibrant colors achieved through layering inks are typical of chromolithography. This contrasts with the hand-crafted feel of earlier printing methods. Each card is a product of skilled labor, from the artists who designed the images to the factory workers who printed and packaged them. The cards blur the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life, reflecting the changing landscape of production and consumption at the turn of the century. The image then becomes more than just a portrait, but a testament to the intertwining of art, commerce, and labor.