Iris (Iris Germanica), from the Flowers series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

Here we have “Iris (Iris Germanica),” a chromolithograph flower from a series of cigarette cards, produced by Goodwin & Company between 1880 and 1910. These cards, tucked into packs of Old Judge Cigarettes, were part of a broader marketing strategy that aimed to broaden the appeal of smoking to women. During the late 19th century, as gender roles and societal expectations for women were intensely debated, marketers began to use flowers, like this Iris, to create an association between cigarettes and feminine beauty. The image of the iris, a flower often associated with royalty and elegance, would have resonated with the era's ideals of feminine grace. The delicate pink and white petals of the iris set against a blue background, speaks to the complex ways in which women were both idealized and restricted during this period. It reflects the tension between the desire for women's empowerment and the prevailing patriarchal norms. This card offers a glimpse into the cultural strategies used to shape perceptions of gender and consumption in the late 19th century.