Raccoon, from the Quadrupeds series (N21) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This color lithograph of a raccoon was produced as a collectible card for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The company was one of the first to insert such cards into their packaging in the late 19th century. As commercial ephemera, these cards offer us a fascinating window into the popular culture of the time, reflecting a growing interest in natural history. The late 1800s was a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization in America, and this card, along with others in the "Quadrupeds" series, suggests a nostalgic longing for the natural world being left behind. Mass-produced images like this helped shape public perceptions of wildlife. The image is carefully composed, presenting the animal in a somewhat romanticized manner, hinting at the complex relationship between humans and the environment. To understand the full context of this artwork, one could explore the company archives and advertising strategies of Allen & Ginter, as well as the broader cultural trends related to natural history and conservation in late 19th-century America. The meaning of this small card is thus contingent on its historical context.