Starling, from the Birds of America series (N4) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands

Art Historical Context

This charming chromolithograph of a starling is a gem from the "Birds of America" seriesN4), issued by Allen & Ginter cigarette company in 1888 Produced as collectible inserts for cigarette packs, these tiny cards—measuring just 2¾ x 1½ inches—were part of a marketing boom in late 19th-century America. Allen & Ginter, pioneers in the tobacco trade card craze, drew inspiration from John James Audubon's iconic ornithological illustrations, transforming fine art into accessible ephemera that captivated collectors young and old. The medium, a commercial color lithograph, showcases the era's chromolithographic mastery: multiple stone plates layered inks to yield vibrant, lifelike hues on a small scale. This mass-production technique democratized colorful imagery, blending scientific accuracy with decorative appeal, and reflects the Gilded Age fusion of commerce and culture. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this ephemera highlights how everyday advertising artifacts evolved into prized cultural treasures, offering a window into Victorian-era hobbies and natural history enthusiasm. Spot the starling's iridescent feathers— a delightful nod to nature's beauty in your pocket!

About the Artist

Allen & Ginter

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...