White-Tailed Wildebeest, from the Animals of the World series (T180), issued by Abdul Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th ephemera with *White-Tailed Wildebe* 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 majestic African gnu in intricate detail, showcasing its distinctive white tail and robust form. Part of a popular series tucked into cigarette packs, these turned everyday smoking into a gateway for armchair exploration of global wildlife, education with marketing savvy. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized printing in the Victorian era by layering vibrant co...

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...