Catfish, from the Fish from American Waters series (N8) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Editor: Here we have "Catfish," a drawing from 1889, part of the "Fish from American Waters" series by Allen & Ginter. What strikes me immediately is how meticulously rendered it is, especially considering it's from a cigarette card set. It almost feels like a scientific illustration, but with a whimsical, slightly off-kilter feel. What's your take? Curator: Well, imagine finding this slipped into your cigarette pack back then! I see a delightful blend of American realism and Japonisme sneaking in, perhaps filtered through ukiyo-e prints. The careful observation of the catfish's anatomy is so apparent, but it’s also flattened and stylized. Those little water plants feel right out of a Hokusai print, don't they? A happy little koi pond moment. Editor: I see what you mean. So it's more than just a simple fish drawing? Curator: Oh, absolutely! These cigarette cards were, in a way, mini-encyclopedias for the masses. It's an era of huge scientific curiosity coupled with burgeoning industrial design and clever marketing, so how better to bring it all together than put art on cigarette cards? The fact it is trying to mimic Japanese prints is icing on the cake. Who'd have thought, a catfish in colored pencil could speak volumes about cultural exchange and capitalism? Editor: So much more depth than I initially expected. It is strange, that a simple colored drawing could be so much more than a drawing. Curator: Art often exceeds expectation. Now, you try looking at other unassuming images with that insight. You'll surprise yourself with the amount of history there is to find!