Private, 22nd Regiment, New York State Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This lithograph was created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company around the late 19th century. The small card features a soldier from the New York State Militia, designed to promote ‘Sweet Caporal’ Cigarettes. The soldier's vertical presence is emphasized by the elongated rectangular format, and the composition is carefully structured. There is the clear separation of the figure against a muted background, typical of commercial lithography of this period. Note the choice of colors: the muted yellow of the jacket contrasts with the teal trousers, highlighting the distinct parts of the uniform. This color scheme serves both an aesthetic and a semiotic purpose, as it helps the viewer quickly identify the subject. The image is not merely representational; it is also a cultural artifact. This promotional card underscores the relationship between commercialism and patriotism during a period of significant industrial and military expansion in the United States. This work exists within a complex matrix of capitalism, identity, and representation.