Bluebird, from the Birds of America series (N37) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

Editor: This is "Bluebird, from the Birds of America series," a colored pencil drawing printed by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes around 1888. It feels like such a strange juxtaposition: a delicate bird drawing advertising tobacco. How do you read the visual symbolism in this print? Curator: Oh, it sings, doesn't it? Imagine stumbling upon this tiny, jewel-toned image nestled within a cigarette pack. A bluebird—a symbol of happiness, rebirth—emerging from, well, what inevitably brings an end. Perhaps they were slyly trying to make smoking feel… virtuous? A little bit of fleeting beauty offered amidst the smoke. Or maybe it was a clever way to elevate their brand through the association with art. What do you make of the overall composition with the bluebird on the branch? Editor: It is odd to have that cigarette box so boldly included next to the detailed drawing of the bird. Is it playing into a sort of ‘natural vs artificial’ binary? Curator: Exactly! The artificial presented almost as part of the same organic world. And notice how that decorative panel above the text? Doesn't it remind you a bit of ukiyo-e woodblock prints with their stylized waves and patterns? It hints at refinement, perhaps aimed to suggest a parallel with fine art, or high-class lifestyle that their customer may enjoy as a result. It's an intricate dance of marketing and artistry, really. The ephemeral quality of the print tucked in a cigarette pack contrasting with the aspirations evoked through this little avian ambassador. Did anything shift for you, after chatting through the background? Editor: Absolutely! It felt like just an advertisement at first glance, but now it seems much richer. I am now more intrigued by this work’s blend of commerce and culture and find myself considering the target consumer more closely. Curator: I know. It has me reflecting upon fleeting moments, unexpected joys, and the somewhat contradictory cravings we humans embrace.