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

This chromolithograph, titled "Lion," is part of the "Quadrupeds" series of trading cards produced by Allen & Ginter in 1890. The card depicts a lion standing proudly on a rocky ledge. The vibrant colors and detailed rendering of the animal were likely intended to appeal to a wide audience of collectors, who would have traded these cards to complete their sets. The "Allen & Ginter Richmond Straight Cut No. 1 Cigarettes" label at the top of the card highlights the commercial purpose behind these collectibles, which were distributed with packs of cigarettes. The image, a striking example of late 19th-century naturalist illustration, remains a testament to the popularity of animal imagery in the Victorian era.