Lillian Russell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen 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
63.350.215.171.19
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the glittering world of Gilded Age theater with this petite albumen photograph of Lillian Russell, a star from Goodwin & Company's *Actors and Actresses* series (N171), for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes between 1886 and 1890. Measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches, this delicate card captures the renowned actress in a poised portrait, embodying the era's fascination with stage celebrities. Albumen prints, made by coating paper with egg whites and silver salts, were the gold standard for sharp, detailed reproductions in the late 19th century, making them ideal for mass-produced collectibles l...
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...