Eider Duck, from the Game Birds series (N13) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Editor: So, this is "Eider Duck," from the Game Birds series by Allen & Ginter, created in 1889. It's a watercolor and print combo. I'm really struck by the illustrative style – it’s so different from a lot of what we look at. Almost like… folk art. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It does have that charming naivete, doesn't it? For me, it’s less about high art and more about popular culture. Think about it: these were cigarette cards. Ephemeral little treasures designed to be collected, traded, and perhaps, ignite a little spark of curiosity about the natural world. It’s almost a snapshot of how people *wanted* to see nature: clean, bright, and utterly captivating. Look at how the eider duck seems to pose so calmly on that tiny island. Isn't it dreamy? Editor: Yeah, I guess I never really considered why something like this was made. It’s neat that something disposable could be so carefully done. Does the duck itself have any symbolism that jumps out at you? Curator: Hmm, the eider duck itself…they're hardy birds, known for their resilience and resourcefulness. In that light, perhaps it's a symbol of embracing a kind of unpretentious beauty, finding little moments of quiet even amid the clamor and industrializing smoke of the late 19th century. Plus, let's not forget it offered collectors a quick lesson on wildlife. You seeing it that way? Editor: That is so interesting! I'd mostly clocked it as cute and quirky. It is interesting to hear about it in the context of mass production and how people interacted with the image itself. Curator: Exactly! Sometimes, the most unassuming art objects have the biggest stories to tell. That is a cool new way to see art for me. Editor: Definitely food for thought.