Whooping Crane, from the Game Birds series (N40) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888 - 1890

Editor: Here we have “Whooping Crane, from the Game Birds series (N40) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes,” dating from 1888 to 1890. It’s a colorful little drawing, actually a print, that's really quite charming, if a bit quaint to our modern eyes. The image itself reminds me of a framed painting... What are your initial thoughts when you look at this, as an object made and displayed at a particular moment in time? Curator: This cigarette card presents a curious blend of commercialism and nascent environmental awareness. The late 19th century witnessed a surge in industrialization and consumer culture, with advertising becoming increasingly pervasive. Consider how the Allen & Ginter company leveraged imagery of "game birds," associating their product with nature, sport, and leisure for a growing consumer base. What does it tell us about the period's perception of nature and its resources? Editor: It's fascinating to think of a cigarette company using this image to sell their product, as it suggests a completely different view of nature than we have today. Is there perhaps also an implicit message that Richmond Straight Cut No. 1 Cigarettes are the “best” and are akin to these noble creatures in the wild? Curator: Precisely! There is definitely a form of aspirational branding going on, associating the product with an idealized view of the American landscape. Furthermore, the placement of "Richmond Straight Cut No. 1 Cigarettes" subtly hints at anxieties around branding and perceived authenticity. Are we meant to assume these cigarettes are superior or of higher quality? I wonder, how did the emerging conservation movements react to these kinds of depictions? Editor: That's a great question. I'd never thought about how product advertising fits into art history. This small artwork certainly carries a wealth of complex issues within it! Curator: Indeed. It highlights the critical role art played in shaping public perception and reinforcing or challenging socio-political ideals, even in unexpected contexts like a cigarette card. It’s prompted new insights for me too!