Cassowary, from Birds of the Tropics series (N38) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This is a lithograph trading card of a Cassowary, from the “Birds of the Tropics” series, produced by Allen & Ginter for their cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a glimpse into the era's fascination with exoticism and global exploration, linked to the expansion of trade and colonial power. On one side, we see a Cassowary, a bird native to New Guinea and Australia. On the other, a person of color is depicted within a tropical setting. This juxtaposition speaks to the ways in which non-Western cultures and environments were often romanticized and commodified for Western consumption. The seemingly innocuous image promotes the consumption of cigarettes while subtly reinforcing societal hierarchies. The "tropical" backdrop, ripe with natural resources and native inhabitants, becomes a stage for Western fantasies and economic interests. This card reminds us to consider the complex layers of meaning embedded in even the simplest of images.