Private, 69th Regiment, New York State Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This 1888 lithograph by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company depicts a private of the 69th Regiment, New York State Militia, holding a rifle. The card was part of a series promoting Sweet Caporal cigarettes and is part of a collection on the history of the US military at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The card depicts a uniformed soldier in a realistic style and features a colorful palette. The soldier is portrayed in profile, creating a sense of immediacy. This piece exemplifies the use of commercial art for advertisement, showcasing a historical military subject in an eye-catching visual style.