Parrot Finch, from the Song Birds of the World series (N42) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This is "Parrot Finch," a chromolithograph from the "Song Birds of the World" series, made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette packs. These cards were collected and traded, embedding themselves in the cultural fabric of the late 19th century. But what does it mean to frame nature, specifically a bird, within the context of consumer culture? Consider the Parrot Finch itself: a vibrant creature of color, now reduced to a token, packaged and sold. Allen & Ginter were purveyors of tobacco, a crop whose production was deeply entwined with the history of slavery and exploitation, and these cards are part of the narrative which normalized racial capitalism. The beauty of the bird—its colors, its pose—diverts our attention. It naturalizes both commodity culture and the problematic labor practices that made such luxuries accessible. The card asks us to consider beauty, commerce, and ethics; it's a complicated picture, isn't it?