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

Art Historical Context

Behold the **Magnificent Bird of Paradise a stunning chromolithograph from the 1889 *Birds of the Trop* series (N38), produced by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes and printed by George S. Harris Sons. These petite cards, measuring just 2⅞ × 3¼ inches, were tucked into cigarette packs as promotional inserts, sparking a collecting craze among Victorian enthusiasts. Allen & Ginter, pioneering tobacco marketers, used such ephemera to glamorize their products while introducing everyday smokers to the exotic avian wonders of distant jungles. Chromolithography, the era's breakthrough in color printing, allowed for vivid, multi-layered hues that captured the bird's iridescent plumage and graceful pose with remarkable realism. This commercial art form bridged fine printing techniques with mass appeal, making natural history accessible and collectible. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a treasure trove of American ephemera—the card reflects 19th-century fascination with tropical biodiversity amid global exploration. Today, it reminds us how everyday objects fueled education and obsession, turning a simple smoke into a gateway for wonder. Spot the intricate details: a testament to lithography's artistry in an age before photography dominated.

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...