Black-breasted Barbet, from the Song Birds of the World series (N23) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph of a Black-breasted Barbet was created by Allen & Ginter for their series, “Song Birds of the World” that was inserted in cigarette packages. These cards, popular in the late 19th century in the United States, reveal a desire to categorize and consume the natural world. The image creates meaning through visual codes. This card flattens the exotic bird to fit within a collection. The format reflects the emerging culture of mass production, which was transforming social life and the very nature of art. Cigarette cards were an advertising strategy that offered a small gift with each purchase, encouraging repeat business and brand loyalty. The cards also provided educational information and were collected, traded, and pasted into albums. To further understand the work of Allen & Ginter, one might explore the company's history and marketing strategies, the cultural obsession with collecting, and the social impact of tobacco consumption during this era. This artwork, therefore, becomes a window into the economic and social structures of its time.