Card 8, Limenitis Ursula, from the Butterflies series (N183) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

Step into the whimsical world of 19th-century advertising with *Card 8, Limenitis Ursula* from the Butterflies seriesN183), produced by Wm. S. & Co. in 1888. This petite commercial color lithograph, just 2 11/16 × 1 1/2 inches, is a delightful example of ephemera from the golden age of tobacco trade cards. Issued by the Rochester-based cigar manufacturer, these cards were tucked into cigarette packages to entice collectors, blending natural history with Victorian fantasy. Here, the Limenitis Ursula butterfly—a real North American species—is reimagined alongside elegant women, evoking themes of beauty, transformation, and nature's grace. Printed by master lithographer Julius Bien, known for his precise scientific illustrations, the card showcases chromolithography's vibrant magic. This technique layered colored inks to mimic hand-painted artistry at mass scale, making luxurious visuals accessible and affordable. Its vivid hues and fine details highlight the era's obsession with butterflies as symbols of metamorphosis, while the female figures add a touch of allure, reflecting popular chromolithographed postcards and advertisements. Today, preserved in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this tiny gem underscores ephemera's cultural role—bridging commerce, science, and art. A reminder that even disposable promotions could capture enduring wonder!

About the Artist

William S. Kimball & Company|Julius Bien · 1850–1950

**William S. Kimball & Company**, a pioneering American tobacco manufacturer, was established in 1846 in Rochester, New York, by William S. Kimball and James C. Hart. The firm quickly grew into one of the city's largest employers, particularly of women, producing popular brands like Peerless chewing tobacco, Rigatta and Fireside smoking tobacco, and Vanity Fair cigarettes. Under Kimball's leadersh...