Zebu, from the Wild Animals of the World series (N25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have "Zebu, from the Wild Animals of the World series" created around 1888 by Allen & Ginter, featuring watercolor and print. The Zebu bull has a gentle demeanor in this drawing. It’s interesting how it’s presented as both an individual portrait and within a landscape. What’s your interpretation? Curator: Well, seeing this image through a historical lens, it is striking to see the "Wild Animals of the World" series framed as collectable cards distributed with cigarettes. Consider how this positioned these animals – creatures worthy of scientific study and exotic interest - squarely within a capitalist, consumerist context. Editor: So it's not just about appreciating the animal? Curator: Precisely. Allen & Ginter were, in a way, democratizing access to imagery and information, but doing so with a very clear agenda of selling tobacco. The format itself – a small, easily collected card – suggests a systematic appropriation of the "wild" for domestic consumption. What do you make of the Zebu’s almost docile presentation? Editor: It's at odds with the "wild animal" classification. It's like they're trying to make the exotic seem safe and familiar. Curator: Exactly. Think about the cultural moment. Western society was increasingly fascinated by, yet also intent on controlling and categorizing the natural world. These cards weren't just educational; they reinforced a specific power dynamic. Editor: So it's a subtle promotion of a worldview? Curator: Undoubtedly. And a successful one, considering their popularity. The cards normalized a relationship of dominion, fitting animals neatly into a product meant for everyday enjoyment. It makes me reflect on how institutions create value in sometimes unexpected ways. Editor: This card becomes so much more than just a pretty picture when you consider its role in a broader social narrative! Thanks, I never would have thought of it this way.