Card 39, Thecla Smilacis, from the Butterflies series (N183) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

"Card 39, Thecla smilacis" is a chromolithograph from the "Butterflies" series of trade cards issued in 1888 by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. This particular card depicts a young woman with butterfly wings, a common motif in Victorian art symbolizing beauty, transformation, and the ephemeral nature of life. The intricate detail in the butterfly wings and the woman's attire showcases the skilled craftsmanship of the chromolithographic process. This charming card is a prime example of Victorian trade card art, often used for advertising or promotional purposes.