Black-breasted Barbet, from the Song Birds of the World series (N42) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph, "Black-breasted Barbet," was created by Allen & Ginter as part of their "Song Birds of the World" series, intended as collectible inserts for cigarette packs. These cards reflect the late 19th-century vogue for natural history and collecting, driven by colonial expansion and the desire to classify and possess the world. The serene image of the barbet, perched on a branch, contrasts sharply with the commercial context in which it was produced and circulated. Tobacco cards like this often romanticized nature, while simultaneously promoting products that were becoming increasingly tied to notions of masculinity and leisure. Consider the visual language used, where the exotic bird becomes a symbol of global reach and consumer desire. The inclusion of such cards in cigarette packs subtly linked the act of smoking with ideas of worldliness and sophistication. This small card thus encapsulates complex relationships between commerce, science, and cultural identity.