Cuirassier, Spain, 1853, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph from 1853 depicts a Spanish Cuirassier and was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards were part of a larger trend in the late 19th century, when businesses used collectible cards to boost sales. In that light, the Cuirassier is less about military history than about the marketing strategies of a burgeoning consumer culture. The image itself presents a romanticized view of military might, with the soldier standing tall in his elaborate uniform and shiny helmet. Consider the role of tobacco companies in shaping popular culture at the time and the ways in which images of strength and valor were used to sell products. Military imagery can evoke ideas of patriotism and national pride. To fully understand this image, one could research the history of tobacco advertising, the visual culture of military imagery, and the social history of 19th-century Spain.