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

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century ephemera with *Tiger, from the Animals of the World series (T180)*, a diminutive yet striking commercial color lithograph issued by Cigarettes in 188. Measuring just 15/8 × 2 3/4 inches, this pocket-sized print was designed as an insert card tucked into cigarette packs, transforming everyday tobacco products into collectible treasures. Part of a popular series showcasing global wildlife, it captures the tiger's fierce majesty, reflecting Victorian fascination with exotic animals amid expanding empires and zoological discoveries. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized mass printing by layering vibrant colors through multiple stone plates, enabling affordable, eye-catching reproductions that rivaled fine art. These cards, cataloged as T180 in collector Jefferson R. Burdick's system, fueled a collecting craze among children and adults alike, blending education with promotion—Abdul Cigarettes cleverly marketed their brand while sparking wonder about the natural world. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, thanks to Burdick's generous gift, this tiger exemplifies how everyday commerce birthed enduring cultural artifacts. It reminds us how such humble prints bridged art, advertising, and adventure in the late 1800s.

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...