Snowy Owl, from the Birds of America series (N4) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This small, chromolithographic card was made by Allen & Ginter as part of their "Birds of America" series. A snowy owl dominates the composition, perched on a branch against a twilight backdrop. The formal arrangement creates an intriguing interplay between realism and stylized representation. Note how the owl's plumage is rendered with fine, almost decorative lines, contrasting with the more abstract treatment of the background. The composition uses a balanced asymmetry, placing the owl off-center which is stabilized by the moon. This tension between naturalism and design reflects a broader cultural fascination with categorizing and displaying the natural world. Ultimately, this card functions as more than just a promotional item. It encapsulates a moment of transition in visual culture, where the detailed observation of nature merges with the aesthetic principles of commercial art. The owl is not merely depicted, it is presented as an object of both scientific interest and artistic consumption.