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

Art Historical Context

Step into the whimsical world of 19th advertising with *Hippopotamus* from the *Animals of World* series (T), issued by Abdul Cigarettes in 1881. This petite commercial color lithograph, measuring just 1 /8 × 2 3/4 inches, was designed as an insert for cigarette packs, sparking a collecting craze among smokers and families alike. Part of a popular series showcasing global wildlife, it captures the massive, river-dwelling hippo in vivid detail, blending education with promotion during the height of the Victorian tobacco trade. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized mass printing by layering colors from stone plates to produce affordable, eye-catching images—perfect for ephemera like these trade cards. Abdul Cigarettes, likely evoking exotic Turkish tobacco blends, used such cards to build brand loyalty, turning everyday purchases into treasures. This technique's precision highlights the hippo's bulky form and textured hide, making exotic animals accessible to ordinary viewers. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a gift of over 30,000 cards—this piece preserves a slice of consumer culture. It reminds us how ephemera bridged art, commerce, and curiosity, offering a window into the era's fascination with the natural world. (198 words)

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...