Singing Honey-eater, from the Song Birds of the World series (N23) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph, “Singing Honey-eater,” is part of the “Song Birds of the World” series created by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette cards in 1890. The image depicts a colorful honey-eater perched on a branch, its bright plumage and detailed features are rendered with meticulous detail. The card, which measures 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 in., exemplifies the popularity of natural history illustration in the late 19th century and its use as a marketing tool. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the card is a fascinating relic of a bygone era when art and commerce intertwined.