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

Editor: This is "King Rail," a lithograph and watercolor print from the Game Birds series by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, dating between 1888 and 1890. I'm struck by the duality of the imagery: a vibrant naturalistic bird juxtaposed with overt commercial advertising. What symbolic readings do you find embedded in this card? Curator: It is a fascinating piece! The King Rail itself is presented within a specific visual vocabulary. It draws on traditions of ornithological illustration but is flattened and simplified. In essence, it becomes a symbol for "the natural," carefully contained and consumed, much like the cigarette itself. What feelings does the King Rail evoke in you, apart from its immediate visual representation? Editor: That's interesting. I suppose the naturalistic rendering suggests authenticity. The very image on a commercial object gives the represented item an aura. Does the King Rail have historical meanings that might enhance the effect? Curator: The King Rail is an interesting choice for the advertisers. It's a game bird, implying an association with the hunt, and the idea of outdoor life. This links smoking the cigarettes with certain upper-class, outdoorsy masculine ideals, subtly promoted through visual cues. Even the lithographic technique employed helps create this atmosphere. Notice that at the time the rise of cities leads to nostalgic representation. Editor: So, it is not just about selling cigarettes. It's selling a lifestyle through visual symbols. I hadn't considered the connections to class and idealized masculinity. I now think differently about this unassuming advertisement. Curator: Yes, these symbols contribute layers of cultural and personal significance. Everything down to the selection of the King Rail speaks volumes!