Toco Toucan, from Birds of the Tropics series (N38) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This vibrant chromolithograph, a cigarette card by Allen & Ginter, presents a Toco Toucan amidst a lush tropical setting. The toucan, with its oversized beak and vivid colors, immediately draws our attention. In many cultures, birds symbolize freedom and the ability to transcend earthly bounds. However, the toucan’s striking beak—a symbol of exaggerated form—also hints at the power of image and representation itself. Consider how such avian figures appear across time, from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs of birds representing souls, to modern-day logos using birds to signify speed or reliability. The beak, so prominent here, reminds me of similar exaggerations in mythical creatures, like dragons, where specific features are amplified to evoke awe and psychological impact. Such imagery taps into our collective memory, triggering primal responses. This little card, then, is not merely an advertisement, but a small vessel carrying echoes of ancient symbols, reshaped and recontextualized for a new era.