Fatigue Hat, Cavalry, United States, from the Military Uniforms series (T182) issued by Abdul Cigarettes 1881

"Fatigue Hat, Cavalry, United States", from the Military Uniforms series, was issued by Abdul Cigarettes around the turn of the century, a time when advertising was rapidly evolving. This small chromolithograph speaks volumes about American identity at the time. We see a smartly dressed cavalry officer, complete with a rather elaborate hat, embodying a vision of national strength and order. Yet, the card also hints at the complexities beneath this image. Who was included, and who was excluded, from this vision of America? The presence of the cigarette company's name, "Abdul," invites us to consider the cultural exchanges and influences that shaped American society, even as it projected an image of unwavering strength. Consider how the simple image of a uniform can carry so much weight, representing ideals, power structures, and the ongoing negotiation of identity in a changing world.