Goldfish, from Fish from American Waters series (N39) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

"Goldfish" is a chromolithograph from the "Fish from American Waters" series, created by Allen & Ginter in 1889 as a collectible card for their cigarette brand. This card showcases a detailed illustration of a goldfish swimming, with a backdrop featuring fishermen working with nets in a lake. The card is a prime example of the "trade card" genre, popular in the late 19th century, used by companies to advertise their products through collectible illustrations. These cards are a significant part of American history and provide insights into the artistic trends and advertising practices of the era. The card is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY.