Magnificent Bird of Paradise, from the Birds of the Tropics series (N5) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This is Magnificent Bird of Paradise, a chromolithograph created by Allen & Ginter for cigarette cards. These small cards were printed using lithography, a process that transfers an image from a stone or metal plate to paper using oil-based inks. The resulting print has a distinctive, slightly raised texture, and a vibrant color palette. Look closely and you'll notice the layering of colors, particularly in the bird's plumage, the artist captured the exotic allure of a faraway land for consumers of the late 19th century. The card's small size and mass-produced nature speak to the rise of consumer culture and the use of images for marketing and brand identity. These cards were essentially collectable advertisements, trading cards that became increasingly popular, and remind us that even the most beautiful images can be tied to larger issues of labor, politics, and consumption.