Sun Bittern, from Birds of the Tropics series (N38) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

Curator: This is “Sun Bittern” from the “Birds of the Tropics” series, a colored-pencil print created in 1889 by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette packs. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by how incredibly decorative it is. The bird has a beautifully patterned plumage, like abstract brushstrokes—though, perhaps unexpectedly for something intended as ephemeral packaging, there’s real artistry here. Curator: Precisely. These cards weren't merely advertisements; they were collectibles, driving the market. Allen & Ginter wanted to present these images as tiny windows into exotic worlds, boosting their brand with an association with knowledge, discovery, and the finer things in life. Editor: I’m curious about the printmaking process, though. Were these designs individually crafted, or mass-produced, considering their use as commercial ephemera? Curator: That’s a key point. The vibrant colours suggest a careful printing process – likely chromolithography, allowing for rich detail and mass production. Think of the labor involved in producing millions of these tiny cards; they were designed for wide distribution, not art galleries. Editor: It’s fascinating how the bird almost blends into the yellowy grass background; that and the decorative borders framing landscape vignettes. It almost feels like an exotic postcard nestled amidst neoclassical architecture and tropical vistas all promising some ideal escape. It's as if the advertisement hints at a global experience attainable via... cigarettes. Curator: And what does this card offer us now? Perhaps a bittersweet glimpse into the intertwined histories of art, commerce, and our enduring fascination with the natural world. Editor: Definitely something to consider, both the charm and the underlying narratives ingrained into these beautifully constructed materials.