Captain, Infantry, Fatigue Dress, United States Army, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph of an American army captain was made in 1886 by the Kinney Tobacco Company, as one of a series of collectible cards included in packs of Sweet Caporal cigarettes. Chromolithography was a fairly new process at the time, allowing for mass production of affordable, colorful images. These cards weren't high art, but they were widely circulated, becoming a form of popular culture. The image of the smartly dressed captain, produced through industrial means, speaks volumes about the intersection of military, industry, and consumerism in the late 19th century. Think about the labor involved. Not just the design and printing of the card, but the manufacture of the cigarettes themselves. This card provides a fascinating lens through which to consider the everyday integration of labor, consumption, and national identity. It asks us to think critically about the role of mass-produced imagery in shaping public perceptions.