Crested Sparactes, from the Song Birds of the World series (N23) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

"Crested Sparactes" is a lithograph from the "Song Birds of the World" series of trading cards created by Allen & Ginter in 1890. The card depicts a colorful bird perched on a branch with delicate flowers in the background. The bird's bright plumage is highlighted by the delicate stippling technique used by the artist. The card, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reflects the late 19th century fascination with natural history and the burgeoning interest in ornithology. This series was distributed with Allen & Ginter cigarettes, a popular practice at the time to market products with collectible cards.