Colonel of Infantry, France, 1853, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This advertisement for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, featuring a French colonel, was printed by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company sometime around 1853. These small cards, made from thin paper stock, were essentially miniature chromolithographs, produced on a mass scale. The printing process allowed for vibrant colors, which would have made these cards quite eye-catching. But it's not just the image that's interesting, it's also the context. These cards were a form of advertising, a means to promote a product, and a collectible item, all rolled into one. The amount of work involved in producing these cards is staggering; from the initial design to the printing and distribution. This speaks volumes about the nature of industrial production, labor, and consumption in the late 19th century. It challenges our traditional notions of what constitutes art, reminding us that even everyday objects can be rich with cultural and social significance.