American Elk, from the Wild Animals of the World series (N25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes
Medium
Commercial color lithograph
Dimensions
Sheet: 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (7 x 3.8 cm)
Classification
Prints|Ephemera
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick
Accession Number
63.350.201.25.4
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century ephemera with *American Elk*, a charming chromolithograph from Allen & Ginter's * Animals of the World* (N25), produced in 1888. This petite print (just 2¾ x 1½ inches) captures the majestic elk in vivid detail, showcasing its antlers and alert posture against a natural backdrop. Issued as inserts in cigarette packs, these cards were marketing innovations by the tobacco company, sparking a collecting craze among Americans fascinated by exotic and native wildlife. Printed by George S. Harris & Sons using commercial color lithography—a breakthrough te...
About the Artist
George S. Harris & Sons|Allen & Ginter (American|American) · | – |
American, Richmond, Virginia|American, Philadelphia