Order of the Lion of the Zaehringer, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This 1888 lithograph by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, part of their “Military Series” for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, depicts the “Order of the Lion of the Zaehringer” medal. The medal was awarded by the Grand Duchy of Baden in Germany, a small state that was annexed by Prussia in 1871. The intricate medal features a cross with a central circular image depicting a tower on a hill. The lithograph has a red background and a gold border, and is a charming example of the historical ephemera often used to promote popular products.