American Card Album, containing sets of collectors cards 1864

This chromolithograph of a butterfly is from an American card album, made by Louis Prang & Co. sometime between 1800 and 1950. Prang was a German immigrant who became known as the "father of the American Christmas card". The image is of a Papilio Erithonius, a type of swallowtail butterfly. This card, like others in the album, was intended for collectors. These cards weren't just about aesthetics; they were deeply embedded in the social fabric of the time, reflecting the rise of consumer culture and the popularity of collecting as a hobby. They also capitalized on a growing interest in natural history and science. These cards served as educational tools and status symbols. Understanding their place in the burgeoning print culture of the era requires us to delve into archives and libraries, exploring the socio-economic context of their production and consumption. This reminds us that meaning is tied to social and institutional contexts.