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

Editor: Here we have "Tarpon, from the Fish from American Waters series" created around 1889 by Allen & Ginter, rendered in colored pencil and print. It's so detailed! What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: The tarpon, with its shimmering scales, acts as a symbol of the exotic, specifically aimed at American consumer culture. Cigarette cards, like this one, weren't merely advertising; they were cultural artifacts, encoding ideas about nature and exploration. Note how the artist carefully details each scale, the subtle shifts in color. Editor: So it's not just about selling cigarettes? Curator: No, it's about associating the brand with an idealized version of the American landscape and its bounty. Consider the Gilded Age, with its rapid industrialization. This image offered a connection to nature. Does it resonate with any familiar symbols or mythological images? Editor: Maybe, its metallic scales feel dragon-like… a scaled beast. Curator: Indeed, drawing on the rich history of fish as symbols of transformation, abundance, or even danger across cultures. How does knowing the purpose of the image shift your interpretation? Editor: I see now that it's less a scientific illustration and more a crafted symbol intended to evoke a particular feeling about America. Curator: Precisely. It reminds us that images are never neutral. What appears to be a simple picture of a fish contains a wealth of information. Editor: This piece really highlights how objects, even something as small as a cigarette card, can embody cultural narratives and influence our understanding of the world.