This is an amazing card, though the back is not so decorative as the early Liebigs were. As an illustration of our subject it is also supreme.
Most of all I like the fact that he is so much bigger than the humans to whom he is attempting to show the uses of fire. Yet we do not really know how tall he was, just that he was a titan - and therefore estimates range from seven foot, way up to twenty. This card seems to suggest even more height than that, as he is kneeling and still towering above the men, women, and children, which estimates the length of his femur (thighbone) as five foot, at least.
This set was also issued in Dutch, as "Prometheus", and Italian, as "Prometeo". I have not found any other versions, but maybe you know of some, and if you do, please tell us.
These cards show episodes in the life of Prometheus, and it seems he packed a lot of excitement into it, for they cover the following events :
- Prometheus fights for Jupiter against the Titans
- Prometheus gives life to man, and Minerva gives him life.
- Prometheus steals the divine fire
- Prometheus teaches humans how to use fire
- Prometheus is chained and freed by Hercules
- Chiron sacrifices himself for Prometheus
As far his other cartophilic appearances, I can tell you that there is a racehorse called Prometheus, who appears on card 21 of Wills` "Race Horses & Jockeys, 1938" - and a spaceship, shown exploding on card 53 of Topps` "Dinosaurs Attack!", issued in 1988.
-
Added : 19 August 2025 - Prometheus does actually appear as part of another Liebig set, on card 2 of "Grands Tragiques Grecs" (F.1244 : S.1245 - Greek Tragedies), issued in 1931, and that shows him chained to the rock, accompanied by several maidens, about to be harangued by the eagle.