Whopping Crane, from the Game Birds series (N13) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This colorful chromolithograph from 1889, titled "Whooping Crane," is part of the "Game Birds" series created by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette brand. The card depicts a white crane with a long neck and red head, standing in a marsh against a backdrop of a blue sky dotted with golden stars. The intricate details of the bird’s plumage and the lush vegetation surrounding it create a vibrant and realistic scene. The card, measuring only 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches, was likely distributed to collectors as a promotional item for Allen & Ginter cigarettes. Today, the "Whooping Crane" card is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This artwork is a valuable example of the popularity of natural history subjects during the late 19th century, and its small size and intricate details make it a captivating example of chromolithographic printing.