Naval Officer, Spain, 1953, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph of a Spanish Naval Officer, dating to 1853, comes from a series of collectible cards distributed by the Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards offer a glimpse into the cultural values of the late 19th century, specifically a romanticized vision of military power and national identity. The figure is idealized, embodying notions of masculinity, authority, and European dominance, yet it obscures the complex realities of Spanish colonialism and military history. The card's circulation coincides with a period of intense social and political change, including rising nationalism, industrialization, and debates over imperialism, which offers us a window into the entwined relationship between commerce, ideology, and representation. Though small in scale, the card served as a vehicle for shaping public perceptions of history and identity.