Goldfinch, from the Birds of America series (N37) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph of a goldfinch comes from a series titled 'Birds of America,' produced by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette packs. These cards, trading cards really, were immensely popular at the end of the 19th century. Packaged with tobacco, these images participated in a larger cultural project of defining and marketing "America". The depiction of birds takes on a particular resonance. Here, we have a goldfinch carefully tending to its nest, surrounded by roses, an idyll of domesticity. Simultaneously, the branding reminds us of the commodity and addictive habit that made this image possible. One panel sells an image of natural beauty while the other promotes consumption. The "Birds of America" exist at a fascinating intersection of commerce, naturalism, and national identity, offering a glimpse into the values and contradictions of a rapidly changing America.