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

This small chromolithograph of a zebu was produced by Allen & Ginter, a Richmond, Virginia tobacco company, as one of a series of collectible cards in the late 19th century. These cards were designed to stiffen cigarette packages, but also to attract consumers with appealing images. The quadruped series, like others, reflects the era's fascination with natural history and global exploration. However, it's crucial to consider the context. This was a period of intense colonial expansion when images of exotic animals and distant lands were used to promote American commercial interests. The cards also reveal the rise of consumer culture and advertising's power to shape perceptions. To fully understand their meaning, we can research the company's history, the cultural attitudes towards animals at the time, and the role of advertising in shaping public opinion. By examining these cultural artifacts, we gain insight into the complex social and economic forces that shaped the late 19th century.