Black Head Duck, from the Game Birds series (N40) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This is a ‘Black Head Duck’ chromolithograph from the ‘Game Birds’ series, produced by Allen & Ginter in the United States in the late 19th century, intended as collectible cards included in cigarette packs. These cards were a clever marketing strategy, capitalizing on the growing popularity of both cigarettes and collecting. The image depicts a black-headed duck in the foreground, with a hunting scene in the background, reflecting the leisure activities of the upper classes at the time. Consider the culture that produced this image: rapid industrialization, expanding consumerism, and a growing interest in outdoor pursuits. The commodification of nature, the promotion of smoking, and the reinforcement of class distinctions are all subtly packaged within this seemingly innocent image. By studying advertisements and promotional materials, we can learn a great deal about the values, aspirations, and social structures of the time.