Private of Engineers, United States Army, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph card, created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1888, is part of the "Military Series" issued to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The card depicts a Private of Engineers in the United States Army in 1886. It is a prime example of the use of trade cards in advertising. The card is currently part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York City. The image is a profile view of a soldier in uniform, in typical "trade card" style, with bold outlines and flat colors. The card is small, measuring 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches.