Fiery-Tailed Sun Bird, from the Birds of the Tropics series (N5) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This is a chromolithograph trading card of a Fiery-Tailed Sun Bird, printed in the United States for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The image offers a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the late 19th century, where exoticism and consumerism intertwined. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs as a marketing strategy, enticing smokers with collectible images of birds and other wonders from distant lands. This reflects an era of exploration, colonialism, and burgeoning global trade. The image itself creates meaning through visual codes that evoke luxury and escape, offering a moment of respite from the mundane realities of industrializing America. The card's mass production also speaks to the rise of consumer culture and the increasing commodification of art and leisure. Understanding this image requires delving into business and trade records, marketing ephemera, and social histories of collecting. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on its status as a collectable commodity and its place within the broader visual culture of the time.