Sea Robin, from the Fish from American Waters series (N8) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This is a Sea Robin print, part of the Fish from American Waters series, created by Allen & Ginter for cigarette cards. These cards were produced in the late 19th century, during a time of rapid industrialization and expansion. The company Allen & Ginter, sought to capture the popular imagination by celebrating American produce. These cards reflect not only an interest in natural history, but also the cultural and economic contexts of the time. The sea robin, with its unique appearance, might have been seen as a curiosity, embodying the exoticism and the promise of the "New World." It is also worth considering that the commercialization of nature and the consumption of tobacco often intersected with issues of class, gender, and colonialism, as these products were marketed to specific demographics and their production often relied on exploited labor. The mass production and distribution of these cards made natural history accessible, while simultaneously weaving it into a narrative of American identity and commerce.