California Partridge, from the Game Birds series (N13) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American ephemera with *California Partridge* from Allen & Ginter's Game series (N13), a delightful 1889 commercial color lithograph. Produced by the pioneering tobacco company Allen & Ginter in collaboration with printers George S. Harris & Sons, this card (just 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches) was tucked into cigarette packs as a promotional insert, sparking a collecting craze among enthusiasts of all ages. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized mass printing by layering vibrant colors through multiple lithographic stones, capturing the partridge's intricate plumage and lifelike pose with stunning detail. This technique made high-quality illustrations affordable, blending artistry with commerce during the Gilded Age's boom in consumer culture. Part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a treasure trove of over 30,000 cards gifted by the avid collector—this piece highlights Victorian fascination with ornithology and game birds. It not only advertised cigarettes but also fueled public interest in natural history, bridging everyday leisure with education in an era before widespread photography. A charming snapshot of history in your hand!

About the Artist

Allen & Ginter|George S. Harris & Sons

Allen & Ginter, the pioneering American tobacco firm based in Richmond, Virginia, emerged around 1880 from the partnership of John F. Allen and Lewis Ginter, evolving from Allen's earlier John F. Allen & Company. Allen retired in 1882, succeeded by John Pope, yet the brand endured under Ginter's leadership, employing over 1,100 workers—mostly women—for hand-rolled cigarettes by 1886. Ginter, a Dut...