Indian Rhinoceros, from the Wild Animals of the World series (N25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This small card depicting an Indian Rhinoceros was printed by Allen and Ginter, as part of a series included with their cigarettes. It is made with paper and ink, printed in color using lithography. The texture and weight of the paper, along with the printing technique, give a soft and somewhat diffuse quality to the image. But consider the context: the card was a collectible premium, a marketing tool meant to encourage repeat purchases of cigarettes. The image flattens the animal into a graphic that could be easily reproduced at scale. The cultural significance is complex, showing an interest in exotic wildlife, but also tying it directly to mass production and consumer culture. What was once wild and rare becomes tamed, not by a hunter, but by the machinery of capitalism. Recognizing this connection between materials, making, and context allows us to see beyond the surface of the image and understand its broader cultural meaning.