Sepoy Finch, from the Song Birds of the World series (N23) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This 'Sepoy Finch' card was made by Allen & Ginter, as part of a series included with their cigarettes. These cards weren’t made with traditional art materials, but were printed using industrial processes. The design would have been reproduced in vast quantities, reflecting the rise of consumer culture and mass production. The image itself is a chromolithograph, a technique that uses multiple lithographic stones, each applying a different color ink. Look closely and you can see the subtle layering of tones. This process allowed for relatively accurate and vibrant reproductions, making images like this widely accessible. The card's function as a collectible insert also speaks volumes about the intersection of commerce, art, and the everyday lives of people at the time. Considering the materials and making of this card helps us appreciate not only the image itself, but also the cultural and economic context in which it was created and circulated, blurring the boundaries between fine art, design, and commercial ephemera.