Houdan Cock, from the Prize and Game Chickens series (N20) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1891

Editor: This is "Houdan Cock," a coloured pencil print from 1891, part of Allen & Ginter's Prize and Game Chickens series. I'm struck by how this image, seemingly straightforward, elevates this rooster almost to the level of royalty with the detailed feather work and regal bearing. What can you tell me about its broader context? Curator: Indeed. It's easy to overlook the societal context of such images. These trading cards, included with cigarettes, were immensely popular. They functioned not only as collectibles, but as vehicles for disseminating knowledge and promoting certain ideals. This focus on prized poultry ties into the late 19th-century obsession with selective breeding and scientific advancement. The cards essentially aestheticized agriculture for a burgeoning consumer culture. Do you think presenting these depictions of idealised animals shapes public opinion? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't thought about the influence it might have on shaping ideals around agriculture. In that regard, the rooster becomes a symbol… Curator: Exactly. What’s interesting to consider is the accessibility of these images; the democratization of art via consumer products like cigarettes also reveals a hierarchy that elevates particular breeds like this Houdan above the rest. The act of collecting reinforces these values, suggesting a certain status linked to both consumerism and knowledge. Editor: So, it is a social commentary, revealing a desire for classification and an emerging culture of aspirational consumerism... Thanks, I’m definitely looking at trading cards differently now. Curator: My pleasure! It's crucial to understand how art reflects and shapes social narratives, even through seemingly mundane objects like cigarette cards.