Patsy Cardiff, from the Celebrities and Prizefighters series (N174) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes
1887–88
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
63.350.215.174.3
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the gritty glamour of 1880s America with *Patsy Cardiff, from the Celebrities and Pefighters series (N)*, a tiny albumen photograph issued by Goodwin & Company for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes. around 1887–88 by J. Wood, this pocket-sized portrait (just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches) captures the steely gaze and muscular poise of Patsy Cardiff, a celebrated prizefighter. These cards were tucked into cigarette packs as collectible incentives, fueling a nationwide craze among enthusiasts who traded them like modern trading cards. Albumen prints, made by coating paper with egg whites and silver sal...
About the Artist
Goodwin & Company|J. Wood · 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...