Rail, from the Game Birds series (N40) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This is a chromolithograph card, made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarettes. It’s from a series dedicated to game birds. The image’s smooth surface and vibrant colors speak to the chromolithography process, a nineteenth-century printing technique that allowed for the mass production of colorful images. Each color required a separate stone or plate, a labor-intensive process demanding careful registration. The image itself, a rail bird amidst foliage, is framed by decorative floral motifs. The technique is closely tied to the rise of consumer culture. These cards were not just advertising; they were collectible items, a premium included with tobacco products to encourage repeat purchases. They blur the line between commercial ephemera and art, prompting us to consider the cultural value assigned to mass-produced images. This simple card provides a glimpse into the intricate relationship between art, industry, and consumerism in the late 1800s.