Clara Ellison, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes
1886–90
Medium
Albumen photograph
Dimensions
sheet: 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 in. (6.9 x 3.5 cm)
Classification
Photographs|Ephemera
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick
Accession Number
63.350.215.171.178
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American popular culture with this petite albumen photograph of actress Clara Ellison, part of Goodwin & Company's *Actors and Actresses* series (N171) Old Judge Cigarettes, between 1886 and1890. Measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, this card was designed as an enticing insert in cigarette packs, sparking a collecting craze among enthusiasts. These ephemera the glamour of theater stars, turning everyday tobacco purchases into treasures. Goodwin & Company, leading tobacco firm, pioneered high-quality photographic inserts to promote their Old Judge ...
About the Artist
Goodwin & Company · 1850–1950
**Goodwin & Company (ca. 1850–1950)** Goodwin & Company, originally established as E. Goodwin and Brother before the American Civil War, emerged as a prominent New York City-based tobacco manufacturer in the mid-19th century. Operating from the bustling heart of Manhattan, the firm built its reputation on popular cigarette brands such as Gypsy Queen and, most notably, Old Judge, which became syno...