Red Bird of Paradise, from Birds of the Tropics series (N38) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This is an advertisement card for Allen & Ginter cigarettes, dating from the late 19th century in the United States, and part of a series called "Birds of the Tropics". These cards were not simply advertisements; they were also collected and traded, so they had to be attractive and informative. The image of the bird is exotic and colourful, referencing distant lands, and is paired with a romanticised image of a building from the same region. The text promotes "Richmond Straight Cut No. 1 Cigarettes" as the best, appealing to consumers who aspired to the high life. This card speaks volumes about the social and economic conditions of the time, with the rise of mass marketing and consumer culture, as well as the growth of American imperialism, and interest in faraway places. By studying the archives of companies like Allen & Ginter, along with other printed ephemera and trade publications from the period, we can better understand the cultural values and social dynamics that shaped the production and consumption of such images.