Zelia de Lussan, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

In the late 19 century, tobacco companies like & Company revolutionized advertising with collectible cigarette cards, such as this petite albumen photograph of actress Zelia de Lussan from the *Actors and Actresses* series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes Produced between 1886 and 1890, these cards—measuring just 2 11/16 x 1 3/8 inches—were tucked into packs to protect contents and entice collectors, sparking a craze among enthusiasts who traded and albumed them like modern trading cards. This vivid portrait exemplifies the era's albumen printing process, where egg whites coated paper to cre...

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...