American Oyster Catcher, from the Game Birds series (N40) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This small card, made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarettes, presents an “American Oyster Catcher” in vivid color lithography. The material is simple paper stock, yet the printing process allowed for a surprisingly detailed image, designed to catch the eye and encourage repeat purchases. Consider how this card was made. It's a product of industrial capitalism, churned out in vast quantities as a promotional item. The image itself is a celebration of nature, but the card’s true purpose was to sell a product, cigarettes, that had a profound impact on human health. The card’s design echoes the aesthetic conventions of its time, while its cheap production emphasizes the amount of labor involved in its creation. The image is striking, but the context is what makes it truly interesting, challenging our conventional understanding of what should be considered art.