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

Editor: So, this charming little print, "Scarlet Tanager" from the *Birds of America* series, dates back to 1888, and was created for Allen & Ginter cigarette brands. It's currently at the Met. It has this whimsical, almost dreamlike quality, a splash of vibrant color against a muted backdrop, and reminds me a bit of vintage botanical prints. What strikes you when you look at this piece? Curator: You know, it’s funny, I keep coming back to the feeling it evokes of something lost and longed for. This isn’t just a depiction of a scarlet tanager; it's a tiny, jewel-like window into a manufactured nostalgia. Imagine someone, probably a working man, pulling this little card from his cigarettes – a brief, fleeting glimpse of an idealised natural world amidst the smoke and grime of the late 19th century. Do you get that sense of escapism too? Editor: I definitely see that now, it's like a mini vacation. The cigarette company must have known exactly what they were doing! The bird is so vibrant, framed against a cityscape and these gentle pink flowers. How do you think the artists were able to print all this onto one card? Curator: It's fascinating, isn't it? The colors would have been layered precisely, using lithography no doubt. But the design is even cleverer. It has the bird swooping in as if he wants to leave Richmond in favor of warmer temperatures. I keep wondering if they wanted a more idyllic space. It's pretty fascinating, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely! It makes me wonder what other stories are hiding in these cigarette cards. Curator: Right? They’re little time capsules. It really invites a look back, I love that!