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

This chromolithograph, titled "Shoe-Bill" and part of the *Birds of the Tropics* series, was created by Allen & Ginter in 1889 as a collectible card for their Richmond Straight Cut No. 1 Cigarettes. The card depicts a shoe-billed stork, a wading bird native to Africa, standing in a swampy area. The bird's large, shoe-shaped bill is prominent, hence the name. The card is a vivid example of chromolithography, a printing process that uses multiple colors to create a vibrant image. The card's small size, measuring only 2 7/8 x 3 1/4 inches, reflects its intended purpose as a trade card. Today, this piece is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, showcasing the history of both bird illustration and trade card culture in late-19th-century America.