Wood Thrush, from the Birds of America series (N4) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This is a Wood Thrush, from the Birds of America series, a lithograph card originally made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The Wood Thrush, perched amid blossoms, appears to be singing. Birds, throughout history, are symbols of the soul, messengers between heaven and earth, and emblems of freedom. The act of singing, however, carries an even deeper resonance. Think of the ancient Greek muses, whose song was believed to inspire creativity and divine knowledge. The thrush’s open beak echoes the voices of these muses, reminding us that singing is an act of revelation, and a connection to something beyond ourselves. The Wood Thrush is surrounded by blossoming flora, symbolizing themes of renewal and the ephemeral nature of beauty. The bird and the blossom create an image of beauty, fleeting, but charged with the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. As you gaze upon this small card, consider how such symbols persist, resurfacing in our collective consciousness, a reminder of the profound connections that bind us across time.