Turtle, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 5) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Editor: So this is “Turtle, from the Novelties series” by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, dating back to 1889. It’s a small print featuring a woman's portrait within the shell of a turtle. There's something surreal, and also kind of charming, about the combination. What jumps out at you when you see this? Curator: It’s like stumbling upon a daydream, isn’t it? This peculiar juxtaposition pulls you in, and I just love it. There’s the woman, presented almost like a cameo, safe and snug within that tough turtle shell. But why a turtle? To me, turtles always whisper of ancient wisdom, resilience, and a slow, steady journey through life. Perhaps she's seeking that kind of protection, or embodying those qualities herself. What do you think? Does the turtle imagery resonate with you, and perhaps provide a commentary on feminine identity? Editor: That’s interesting, I didn’t think about the resilience aspect, just the oddness of it! It seems almost Victorian, in a way. The attention to detail, and this rather quirky combination… Did tobacco companies often include art like this in their packaging? Curator: Absolutely! These small, chromolithographed cards, called trade cards, were stuffed into cigarette packs as a sort of proto-collectible. Think of them as tiny canvases that gave everyday consumers a little slice of beauty and a reason to keep buying. The Turtle here… It might seem absurd now, but it tells us so much about the tastes, humor, and cultural fixations of that time. Makes you wonder what images we’ll be tucking into our packages today! Editor: So it’s both art and advertising at once. I’ll definitely look at trade cards differently now! Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. And who knows? Maybe someday we'll be traded inside cereal boxes! Food for thought... literally!