Alexandrine Ring Parakeet, from the Birds of the Tropics series (N5) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Editor: This small print, "Alexandrine Ring Parakeet" from 1889 by Allen & Ginter, is striking! It’s so detailed for its size. I'm really drawn to the bird's sharp colors and the tropical background. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The Alexandrine Parakeet itself is a fascinating symbol. These birds, originating from Asia, became prized possessions, signifying wealth, exoticism, and connection to far-off lands. The Victorians were obsessed with classifying and possessing the natural world, weren’t they? Editor: Definitely. This was a cigarette card; how would people have received it? Curator: Exactly! So think about it - placing this image on a cigarette card connects smoking with this elevated idea of global exploration. The Alexandrine parakeet in Ukiyo-e style, is it more about the actual bird, or what it represents in the viewer's mind: an idealized, orientalist vision of the "exotic East?" The repetition would have created a cultural imprint. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. It’s interesting how these cards visually tie into trade, consumerism, and cultural fascination. It's more than just a pretty picture. Curator: Precisely! What I find really interesting, is how potent a single repeated image can be. Did it influence public imagination? Did the beautiful, exotic image motivate some desire? That kind of symbolism lingers. Editor: So, in a way, this card acted as a tiny ambassador of a larger cultural narrative? I’ve definitely learned so much by analyzing it this way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! These cards are potent time capsules. Looking at the underlying message is crucial.