Officer, Rhode Island Strate Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This lithograph, "Officer, Rhode Island State Militia," is part of the "Military Series" issued by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1888 to promote their Sweet Caporal cigarettes. The artwork depicts a uniformed officer in a profile view, holding a sword, and features a stylized, graphic, illustrative aesthetic that was common in the 19th century. The card was designed to be small and portable, as it was intended to be included in packs of cigarettes, a strategy that linked the brand with the image of patriotism and masculinity. This piece, like many of the other cards in the "Military Series," is a striking example of the use of advertising in 19th-century American culture.