King Bird of Paradise, from Birds of the Tropics series (N38) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

"King Bird of Paradise," from the "Birds of the Tropics" series, is a chromolithograph trade card created by Allen & Ginter in 1889 as part of a larger series promoting Richmond Straight Cut No. 1 cigarettes. This particular card features a vibrant depiction of the bird perched on a branch amidst a lush, tropical landscape. The illustration, with its vivid colors and meticulous details, is characteristic of the late 19th-century aesthetic of natural history illustrations. The card is a testament to the popularity of birdwatching and natural history in the Victorian era, and serves as an example of how commercial advertising could be combined with artistic depictions of the natural world.