Card 24, Papilio Hippodamus, from the Butterflies series (N183) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

This chromolithograph trading card of ‘Papilio Hippodamus’ was produced by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co., a prominent tobacco company in the United States, as part of their Butterflies series. These cards were originally included in cigarette packs as a marketing strategy, meant to encourage repeat purchases. The depiction of a woman with butterfly wings reflects the late 19th-century fascination with natural history, but also prevailing social norms. Images of women were commonly used to sell products, capitalizing on the idea of beauty and transformation. The butterfly, a symbol of metamorphosis, here speaks to feminine ideals. To fully understand this artwork, you might explore the history of advertising, the role of women in marketing, and the cultural significance of butterflies in the late 19th century. These resources provide deeper insight into the values and social structures that shaped the image.