Skate, from Fish from American Waters series (N39) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

"Skate, from Fish from American Waters series (N39) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes" is a chromolithograph from 1889. This card, part of a series by Allen & Ginter, depicts a skate, a type of ray, swimming in the ocean. The card also features a dog and cat, adding a humorous touch to the scientific illustration. The card’s small size and detailed illustration were designed for the popular trading cards that were included in packs of Allen & Ginter cigarettes. The card is a good example of late 19th-century natural history illustration and the popularity of "trade cards".