Black-Throated Golden Pheasant, from the Birds of the Tropics series (N5) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This chromolithograph of a Black-Throated Golden Pheasant was made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, and is part of a series called Birds of the Tropics. Chromolithography allowed for mass production with vibrant, consistent colors. The process involves creating a separate lithographic stone for each color, then layering these precisely to build up the final image. Notice how the individual colors create the texture of the bird's feathers and the surrounding foliage. The golden pheasant is shown as a symbol of exotic luxury, accessible through mass-produced cigarette cards. These small cards, included in cigarette packs, were essentially miniature artworks intended to be collected. They offered a glimpse into a wider world. The appeal of these cards lay in their collectibility and the promise of a sophisticated lifestyle, cleverly intertwined with the everyday act of smoking. The skilled labor and advanced printing technologies involved in producing these cards contrast sharply with their intended disposability, highlighting the complex relationship between art, industry, and consumer culture.