Wolf, from the Wild Animals of the World series (N25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of a wolf was produced by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes in the late 19th century as part of a series of collectible cards. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, a marketing strategy designed to appeal to consumers and promote brand loyalty. The images of wild animals exoticized nature at a time when industrialization and urbanization were rapidly changing the American landscape. As consumers collected and traded these cards, the wolf, a creature often associated with wilderness and untamed nature, became a commodity. The popularity of these cards also reflects a growing interest in natural history and scientific exploration. The imagery, while seemingly benign, helped shape popular perceptions of the natural world, often reinforcing stereotypes. Understanding the historical context of this seemingly innocuous image requires researching the marketing strategies of the tobacco industry, the history of chromolithography, and the cultural attitudes towards wildlife in the late 19th century. These are crucial steps in interpreting the social life of images.