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

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with *Great Bird of Paradise*, a stunning chromolithograph from the *Birds of the Tropics* series (N38), issued by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889. Produced collaboration with George S. Harris & Sons this petite print (just 2 7/8 x 3 1/4 inches) captures the allure of the resplendent bird native to New Guinea's rainforests, its iridescent plumage and elaborate tail feathers rendered in vivid hues of blue, gold, and crimson. These cards were tucked into cigarette packs as collectibles, transforming everyday tobacco products into gateways for natural history education and leisure. Chromolithography, the era's cutting-edge technique for mass-producing colorful images, allowed for intricate details and jewel-like tones that mimicked fine art while making it accessible. Allen & Ginter's innovative series—part of a broader trend in trade cards—sparked a collecting craze, blending commercial savvy with ornithological fascination during the height of imperial exploration and scientific illustration. Today, this ephemera gem resides in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, highlighting how everyday objects preserved cultural snapshots of wonder and commerce. A delightful reminder of art's democratic reach! (198 words)

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...