Great White Heron, from the Game Birds series (N13) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This small card showing a Great White Heron was made as a promotional item for Allen & Ginter cigarettes. It is a lithograph, a printing process that allows for mass production. The very point of this image was to create an exchangeable object that could be collected. It’s interesting to note the contrast between the delicate, hand-drawn appearance of the bird itself, and the industrial process used to generate it. The point was not to emphasize individual artistry, but rather to create a visually appealing item that could be included in cigarette packs, encouraging repeat purchases. In this context, the choice of subject matter becomes significant. Game birds, like the Great White Heron, would have resonated with a specific demographic of smokers - those engaged in hunting and outdoor pursuits. This speaks to a certain ideal of leisure and luxury, even as the cards themselves were designed for a mass market. So, the card's material and production speak volumes about the culture of consumption and class aspirations at the time.