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

This is "Sawfish," a small chromolithograph card from the "Fish from American Waters" series, created by Allen & Ginter, a prominent cigarette company. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer us a glimpse into the intersection of commerce, science, and cultural values of the time. The image presents a sawfish, rendered with a mix of scientific curiosity and aesthetic appeal. But let’s consider the cultural context: The late 1800's was an era of rapid industrialization, westward expansion, and growing American imperialism. These cards reflect a desire to catalog and celebrate the nation’s natural resources, but also implicitly assert a sense of ownership and control over them. What does it mean to commodify nature in this way? How does this relate to our present-day ecological concerns and questions of environmental justice? The sawfish, now an endangered species, becomes a poignant symbol of both the beauty and the vulnerability of the natural world.