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

Allen & Ginter Cigarettes made this small chromolithograph card, "Robin," as part of its Birds of America series, which came free inside cigarette packs. These cards reflect a late 19th-century fascination with natural history, fuelled by growing industrialisation and urbanisation. What was the relationship between the expansion of consumer culture and the growth of leisure activities such as bird watching, and how did those relate to the destruction of natural habitats? The robin in the image appears perched on a branch with foliage and flowers, printed in vivid colors to attract consumers. The company name and location, Richmond, Virginia, are prominently displayed, reflecting the economic power of the tobacco industry in the post-Civil War South. Historians can use sources such as business records, advertisements, and popular culture ephemera to explore these questions and gain a richer understanding of art's complex relationship to commerce and society.