Mullet, from Fish from American Waters series (N39) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

Curator: This chromolithograph, titled "Mullet," is from a series called "Fish from American Waters," created in 1889 by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette packages. What do you think of it? Editor: My initial impression is how meticulously the fish has been depicted in such a limited space, particularly its scales; and what a strange combination, its body suspended above this decorative wreath and shell! It gives the fish an almost triumphant presence, an icon. Curator: Exactly! Think about it – fish represent abundance, fertility, and sometimes even spiritual sustenance across various cultures. Cigarette cards at the time sought to convey aspirational imagery and, perhaps unconsciously, the artists used these symbols to impart cultural meaning. Editor: You think so? It could simply be visual interest—something exotic to catch the eye of potential smokers, connecting the brand to the marvels of the American landscape, which were quickly disappearing with industrial expansion. The choice of rendering a mullet over a sturgeon, or a salmon also reflects social hierarchies—smoking brands associating themselves with the culinary hierarchy by showcasing commonplace resources. Curator: Interesting. To me, though, this image does have deeper symbolic significance. Fish appear in countless religious and mythological narratives, often as guides, protectors, or emblems of transformation. The shell, on the other hand, as it is nestled underneath a net, it reminds us of capture but also rebirth. And the delicate botanical wreath that encompasses it all… it reads like a celebration. Editor: A celebration of nicotine perhaps. One cannot ignore the blatant commercial aspect—to familiarize Americans with products like cigarettes that carried associations beyond just the physical good. Look at the way this mundane commodity has been elevated and rendered in such incredible detail, something so intricate it seems odd to think that they were printed in bulk. Curator: Perhaps these little gems acted as democratic access points to high culture and refined visual consumption. Regardless, I can appreciate both interpretations: an eye towards the capitalist marketplace as well as deeply embedded, often unacknowledged symbolism. Editor: Agreed! It just goes to show the complex ways imagery, advertising and cultural memory entwine within even the simplest artifacts.