Sheepshead, from the series Fishers and Fish (N74) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of a Sheepshead, part of the Fishers and Fish series, was created by Knapp & Company for Duke brand cigarettes. Produced during a time of burgeoning industrialization and consumer culture, these cards were designed to entice smokers, embedding themselves within a network of desire and collecting. These cards reflect a society increasingly fascinated by the natural world, yet distanced from it. Note the way the fish is presented—cleanly depicted against a stylized backdrop. It exists as a specimen, a symbol of nature commodified for urban consumption. Consider the act of collecting these cards. What does it mean to possess a miniature image of a fish, divorced from its living context? This disconnect speaks to broader themes of environmental exploitation and the human desire to categorize and control the natural world. In its own way, this small card captures the complex relationship between humanity, nature, and commerce at the turn of the century.