Private, 5th Light Battery, Massachusetts, V.M., from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph was created by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in the United States as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Part of a military series, it depicts a Private from the 5th Light Battery of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. These cards were a canny marketing tool from the late 19th century. Inserted into cigarette packs, they encouraged repeat purchases and brand loyalty. But they also reflect the era’s fascination with military prowess and civic duty. The Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, a state-level military force, saw action in key events like the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. The precision of the uniform, emblazoned with the state’s insignia, speaks to the Militia's role in upholding social order. To fully understand this image, historians consult military archives, advertising ephemera, and social histories of the period. This helps us appreciate how popular culture and commercial interests shaped perceptions of patriotism and military service.