Turkish Gendarme, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph, "Turkish Gendarme," is a card from a set of 50 designed by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1888 to promote their Sweet Caporal cigarettes. The image, printed in the "trade card" format, depicts a soldier in a traditional Turkish uniform holding a sword. The card exemplifies the popular trend of using collectible trading cards for promotional purposes, especially during the late nineteenth century, and offers a glimpse into the historical fashion and military attire of the Ottoman Empire.