Gendarme, French Army, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This colorful lithograph, "Gendarme, French Army, 1886," is part of the "Military Series" issued by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to promote their Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The image depicts a French gendarme in full uniform, complete with a tall, plumed hat and an array of equipment. This "trade card" exemplifies the use of popular imagery, like military figures, in commercial advertising during the late 19th century. The artwork, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a small but significant example of American illustration and its connection to consumer culture.