Blue Winged Teal, from the Game Birds series (N40) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This chromolithograph, "Blue Winged Teal" is part of the "Game Birds" series (N40) issued between 1888 and 1890 by Allen & Ginter, a Richmond, Virginia-based company known for its cigarette cards. The card depicts a teal in mid-flight, against a sunset sky, with a caption and an advertisement for "Richmond Straight Cut No. 1 Cigarettes," highlighting the relationship between these collectible cards and tobacco products during that era. The card measures 2 7/8 x 3 1/4 inches, illustrating a specific species of bird with intricate detail and color. This card, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a great example of an American advertising and collecting trend of the late 19th century.