Forage Cap, Light Artillery, United States, from the Military Uniforms series (T182) issued by Abdul Cigarettes 1881

This small card from the Military Uniforms series was made by Abdul Cigarettes around the turn of the 20th century. Produced using offset lithography, a process that enabled mass production, these cards were included in cigarette packs. The image shows the elaborate hat of a light artilleryman, the red plumes being particularly striking. But while the subject is military finery, the card itself speaks to industrial efficiency and marketing. Cigarette cards like these were immensely popular, and collecting them became a widespread hobby. Series like this one, therefore, played a role in shaping popular perceptions of national identity and military prowess. Consider the labor involved in the tobacco industry, from farming and manufacturing to distribution and advertising. These cards, small as they are, represent a node in a vast network of production, consumption, and cultural messaging. It shows how everyday objects can reflect complex social and economic forces.