Private, 7th Infantry, New Jersey Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of a New Jersey militiaman was one of a series produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as an advertisement for Sweet Caporal cigarettes. These cards coincided with the growth of the tobacco industry and the rise of consumer culture in the late 19th century United States. Tobacco companies produced series of collectible cards like this one to include in their packaging, a marketing strategy designed to promote brand loyalty. The image of the uniformed militiaman evokes ideas about patriotism, duty, and civic engagement in this period. It is part of a larger series depicting soldiers from different states, reflecting a growing sense of national identity after the Civil War. Understanding the social conditions that shaped the production of this image requires attention to the history of advertising, the military, and the construction of American identity. Through such research, we can better understand the complex ways in which art reflects the values and beliefs of its time.