Scotch Terrier, from the Dogs of the World series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

This small chromolithograph of a Scotch Terrier was created by Goodwin & Company, most likely sometime between 1880 and 1910, as part of their “Dogs of the World” series for Old Judge Cigarettes. Chromolithography was the cutting-edge of commercial printmaking at the time, a labor-intensive, multi-stage process. Each color required a separate stone or plate, and a skilled printer would need to align each layer perfectly to create the final image. The result was a vibrant, eye-catching image, perfect for attracting customers to Old Judge Cigarettes. Consider the sheer number of these cards that would have been produced, and the labor required to make them. This was the visual culture of mass production, a moment when consumerism was becoming an integral part of everyday life. By examining the materials and processes, we gain insight into the cultural values and economic forces that shaped this small, mass-produced work.