Rock Blackfish, from the Fish from American Waters series (N8) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This is Rock Blackfish from the Fish from American Waters series, a lithograph made by Allen & Ginter. These cards were originally included in packs of cigarettes, placing them within the rise of consumer culture and advertising. But these cards were also a form of popular education, circulating images and knowledge of the natural world to a broad audience. These images celebrated the abundance and variety of American wildlife, yet they were produced during a time of ecological transformation and exploitation. Think about it: as consumer culture flourished, so did industrialization and urbanization. This had a devastating impact on natural habitats and wildlife populations. What stories do we tell about progress, and at whose expense? The image of the Rock Blackfish can be a reminder of the complex relationship between humans and the environment, and the ways in which our desires and actions can shape the world around us.