Sea Lion, from the Wild Animals of the World series (N25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is a collectible card of a ‘Sea Lion’ from the ‘Wild Animals of the World’ series, made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, served as both advertising and a window into a world beyond immediate experience. The image depicts the head of a sea lion, its mouth open in a roar, surrounded by water. This card, like others in the series, reflects an era marked by exploration and the categorization of the natural world through a Western lens. It speaks to a growing interest in wildlife, but also to the imperialistic attitudes that framed these animals as exotic commodities. The commercial context of the card – sold with cigarettes – underscores the entanglement of nature, consumerism, and colonial expansion. Consider how the act of collecting these cards created a sense of ownership, not just of the image, but of the animal itself. What does it mean to possess a flattened, mass-produced image of a wild creature?