Molineux Rifles, Brooklyn, New York Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of the Molineux Rifles was issued by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company around 1888 as part of a series promoting Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards, distributed with consumer products, offer insight into the visual culture of the time. The image presents an idealized view of the military, tapping into a sense of national pride. Uniforms and weaponry are meticulously detailed, reflecting the visual codes associated with order, authority, and strength. The Molineux Rifles, a Brooklyn militia, would have been understood within the context of post-Civil War America, as the legacy of that conflict shaped national identity and military culture. These cards reveal how commercial and military interests converged to shape public perception. Understanding the social and economic context of this image, and institutions such as the National Guard, requires researching military archives, historical societies, and advertising ephemera.