Great Marbled Godwit, from the Game Birds series (N40) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This chromolithograph, "Great Marbled Godwit," is part of the "Game Birds" series produced by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette cards between 1888 and 1890. The card depicts a realistic illustration of the bird in a natural habitat, set against a vibrant sunset backdrop, and a small countryside scene with a building and a boat in the bottom half. This card, like many others in the series, was likely intended to educate the public about different species of game birds. The detailed and colorful depiction of the Godwit is indicative of the popularity of natural history illustrations during this period. These cards are a prime example of the crossover between product advertising and artistic endeavors in the late 19th century.