English Mastiff, from the Dogs of the World series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

This small chromolithograph of an English Mastiff was created by Goodwin & Company as part of the "Dogs of the World" series, used as promotional material for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards were distributed during a period of significant industrialization and urbanization in America, reflecting shifting cultural values and anxieties about class and identity. Dogs, like the English Mastiff, became potent symbols of status. Often, they were associated with the upper class, signifying wealth, leisure, and a connection to aristocratic traditions. The choice to depict specific breeds reveals how intertwined these images were with social hierarchies. As these cards circulated, they not only promoted a product but also reinforced societal norms, shaping perceptions of class, taste, and belonging. They acted as mirrors, reflecting and solidifying cultural values for a rapidly changing society.