Card 47, Ornithoptera Brookiana, from the Butterflies series (N183) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

"Card 47, Ornithoptera Brookiana" is a chromolithograph from the "Butterflies" series, issued in 1888 by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. This trade card, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts a woman with large, intricately patterned butterfly wings. The wings, likely based on a real specimen, are a striking contrast against her pink dress. The image is a fine example of the chromolithography process, where vibrant color is achieved by printing with multiple layers of ink. These cards were widely popular during the late 19th century, offering a glimpse into the fascination with natural history and the rise of mass-produced imagery.