Mackerel, from Fish from American Waters series (N39) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

"Mackerel" is a chromolithograph from the *Fish from American Waters* series, created in 1889 by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette cards. This small-scale artwork features a detailed, realistic depiction of a mackerel against a light blue and green background, with a partially-visible ship and a basket hanging from a rope in the bottom corners. The card was likely given away free with packs of cigarettes as a means of attracting customers. The realistic depiction of the mackerel in the *Fish from American Waters* series speaks to the popularity of naturalism in American art during the late 19th century.