Brazilian Tanager, from the Song Birds of the World series (N23) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This is an image of a Brazilian Tanager, printed by Allen & Ginter for their series of cigarette cards called, 'Song Birds of the World'. These cards, produced in the late 19th century, served a dual purpose: stiffening cigarette packs and advertising the brand. But beyond this, they offer a glimpse into the cultural values of the time. The exotic bird, native to Brazil, speaks to an era of exploration and burgeoning global trade, where the natural world was both a source of wonder and a commodity. The card, small as it is, reflects the socio-economic forces driving colonial expansion and the public's fascination with the ‘exotic’. The image itself, with its vivid colours and careful detail, would have appealed to collectors and smokers alike. To understand this image more fully, one might delve into the history of tobacco advertising, the rise of consumer culture, and the colonial gaze.