Pile Game Hen, from the Prize and Game Chickens series (N20) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1891

This is "Pile Game Hen," a chromolithograph from the "Prize and Game Chickens" series, created by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette packs. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a glimpse into the cultural values and social hierarchies of the Gilded Age. The image, seemingly innocuous, reflects a society deeply invested in notions of pedigree, competition, and display. The careful selection and presentation of specific chicken breeds speaks to a broader cultural fascination with categorization and control, paralleling the era’s social stratification. The title itself, "Pile Game Hen," suggests the instrumentalization of animals for entertainment and profit. While the card celebrates selective breeding, it also hints at the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Think about how the commodification of nature, seen here in miniature, reflects the era's industrial expansion and its impact on the environment. This little card, distributed with cigarettes, encapsulates themes of value, status, and the manipulation of nature.