Skating, from the Games and Sports series (N165) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This small chromolithograph was made by Goodwin & Company, an American producer of smoking paraphernalia, as part of a series of collectible cards for Old Judge Cigarettes. The card depicts a scene of leisure: in the background, we see a couple skating, and in the foreground, a portrait of a young woman, possibly a college graduate, framed by an ornate gold border. This image speaks to the rise of consumer culture in the late 19th century United States, where even everyday objects like cigarettes became vehicles for aspiration. The image of healthy, youthful figures engaging in leisure activities served to associate the product with a life of middle-class comfort. The mass production of images like this played an important role in shaping social norms and ideals. By carefully examining these cards, along with business records and other ephemera, we can learn much about the cultural values of the period.