Cock-of-the-Rock, from Birds of the Tropics series (N38) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This is an advertisement card of the 'Cock-of-the-Rock' from the Birds of the Tropics series by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The Cock-of-the-Rock bird, prominently displayed, is a vibrant symbol, evoking associations of exotic lands and virility. The image is divided in three frames, and there is a narrative. On the left, there is a landscape with what looks like a mediterranean villa. On the right there is a sea landscape, perhaps indicating where this journey will end. All these put together emphasize the Cock-of-the-Rock as an exotic jewel to attain. Birds, across cultures and eras, have acted as potent symbols. From ancient Egyptian depictions of Horus to Renaissance allegories, they represent freedom, divinity, and the soul's journey. This bird, in its vibrant plumage, taps into primal emotions—a desire for the exotic, the untamed. The name of the bird itself invites a somewhat sexual overtone to the image that cannot be ignored. This card underscores the cyclical nature of symbols, reinvented to capture new desires.