Musician, New York State Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

Editor: This is “Musician, New York State Militia,” a print from 1888 by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. It’s part of their Military Series, an advertisement for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The image depicts a musician with a bright golden horn. There's something comical about the seriousness of the musician's posture combined with the promotional aspect, a weird kind of satire, almost? What stands out to you when you look at it? Curator: Satire... I love where your head is going! It feels like a sideways glance at the militaristic pride of the era, doesn't it? And the colors practically shout "Look at me!" – it’s pure visual theatre, designed to grab your attention in a crowded shop. But think about the context. Cigarette cards were like little windows into the world. What kind of world do you think they were trying to sell alongside those Sweet Caporals? Was it really about patriotism? Or about the alluring appeal of a life less ordinary? Editor: I hadn't thought about the "world" they were selling… probably both, packaged together. It's interesting how a little rectangle of printed paper can reveal so much! Curator: Exactly! This card reminds me that art doesn't exist in a vacuum. It whispers stories about who we were, and sometimes, who we still are. A jaunty tune masking something far more complicated. Editor: Thanks! Now I’ll look at advertisements in a very different light. Curator: My pleasure! I love the way it's still sparking conversations and questions all these years later. The most wonderful artworks keep you looking, pondering, maybe even humming a little tune… hopefully something other than a military march, of course.