Throwing the Hammer, from the Games and Sports series (N165) for Old Judge Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

In the late 19th century, cigarette manufacturers like Goodwin & Company revolutionized marketing by inserting colorful collectible cards into Old Judge Cigarette packs. "Throwing the Hammer," the 1889 Games and Sports series (N165), exemplifies this ephemera trend. This petite commercial color lithograph (1 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.) captures the dynamic athleticism of hammer throwing—a track and field event gaining popularity amid the era's growing obsession with physical fitness and organized sports. Produced during a time when baseball cards were exploding in popularity, these cards turned everyday ...

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...