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

This small card depicting a blowfish comes from a series made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. In the late 19th century, tobacco companies included collectible cards with their products as a marketing strategy. The cards were meant to stiffen the cigarette packs, and it wasn't long before companies realized they could be used to promote their products through popular imagery. The cards depicted a wide range of subjects, from actresses to athletes to exotic animals and in this case, fish. This card uses visual codes of the natural world, such as the fish, fishing net and shells, which reference the history of science and natural history illustration. It speaks to a growing interest in the natural world and the expansion of the American Empire. These small cards became a cultural phenomenon, reflecting the social and economic structures of the time. Further research into the Allen & Ginter company records, as well as popular periodicals and trade publications of the time, can help us better understand the cultural context and the role of these cards in shaping public tastes and consumer culture.