Gnu, from Quadrupeds series (N41) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph, "Gnu," is part of the "Quadrupeds" series of trading cards created by Allen & Ginter in 1890 as promotional material for their "Richmond Straight Cut No. 1 Cigarettes." The card depicts a wildebeest, also known as a gnu, in a natural habitat with an indigenous person in the foreground. The card's vibrant colors and detailed illustrations highlight the popularity of natural history during this period and offer a glimpse into the marketing strategies of late 19th-century America.