Top Knot Pigeon, from the Birds of the Tropics series (N5) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Editor: So, this is "Top Knot Pigeon, from the Birds of the Tropics series," created in 1889 by Allen & Ginter. It's a colored pencil print, surprisingly small and delicate, currently at the Met. It feels…almost scientifically whimsical? I mean, it’s clearly an attempt at realistic depiction, but there’s something charmingly odd about its direct gaze. What do you see in it? Curator: Charming, exactly! It winks at you, doesn't it? You know, these weren’t made for art galleries. They were cigarette cards! Imagine collecting them! It’s a Victorian-era precursor to Pokémon cards, but instead of Pikachus, you get beautifully rendered birds. It reflects a time of rampant collecting and classification, driven by imperial exploration. Consider this little pigeon as both a specimen and a decorative object, hinting at nature but serving the smoke. Editor: A specimen and decor…That tension is fascinating! I hadn’t thought about the collecting mania of the era playing out even in something like this. It's odd to consider the function of this piece versus the detail put into it. It really transcends the everyday object in that regard. Curator: Exactly. It also suggests Japonisme, this interest in Japanese aesthetics – consider the flattened space, the almost abstracted background. It transforms our pigeon from reality into something altogether decorative. Editor: I definitely see it now! So, this card is more than just a picture of a bird; it’s a tiny window into Victorian obsessions, global influence, and evolving aesthetics. Thanks for untangling its layers for me. Curator: And for pointing out its innate charm! A pigeon has never looked so appealingly philosophical.