Card 27, Parnassius Apollo, from the Butterflies series (N183) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

This card, "Parnassius Apollo," produced by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., presents a peculiar convergence of nature and allegory. Here, a woman is adorned with the wings of the Apollo butterfly, a symbol of transformation. Butterflies, throughout history, represent the soul, metamorphosis, and rebirth. The Greeks associated the butterfly with Psyche, the soul, often depicted with butterfly wings. Psyche's tale, filled with trials and transformation, is mirrored in the butterfly’s own life cycle, echoing a deep human desire for spiritual renewal. In this trade card, the butterfly wings serve not only as an emblem of beauty but also as a nod to classical ideals, mingling the scientific observation of the natural world with the rich tapestry of mythological meaning. The trade card, in turn, becomes a small portal, bridging ancient myth with modern commercial culture.