Canada Lynx, from the Animals of the World series (T180), issued by Abdul Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the whimsical world of 19th-century ephemera with *Canada Lynx* from the *Animals of World* series (T), issued by Abdul Cig in 1881. This petite commercial color lithograph, just 1 5/8 × 2 3/4 inches, captures the fierce elegance of the Canada lynx in vivid detail—its tufted ears, thick fur, and piercing gaze rendered with the precision of chromolithography, a revolutionary printing technique that allowed for mass-produced, jewel-toned images at affordable prices. These cards were tucked into cigarette packs as clever marketing ploys during the Victorian era's collecting craze, enticing smokers (and enthusiasts) to amass full sets of exotic animals. Produced by Abdul Cigarettes, they exemplify the fusion of commerce and art, transforming everyday tobacco products into gateways for education and wonder. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this piece comes from The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, a monumental gift that preserves these humble treasures of popular culture. Today, *Canada Lynx* reminds us how everyday objects sparked global curiosity, bridging fine art with the thrill of the hunt—right in your pocket.

About the Artist

Abdul Cigarettes · 1881–1881

Abdul Cigarettes, an enigmatic American entity active solely in 1881, stands as a fascinating footnote in the history of commercial art, best known for producing vibrant chromolithograph trade cards inserted into cigarette packages as promotional inserts. Little is documented about its origins or personnel, suggesting it operated as a short-lived publishing venture rather than the work of a singul...