Private, 12th Regiment, New York State Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This trade card, made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, features a private from the 12th Regiment of the New York State Militia, as part of an advertisement series for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Notice the soldier's helmet, a "Pickelhaube," adorned with an eagle, a symbol deeply rooted in the Roman Empire and revived in 19th-century Prussia. The eagle, originally representing the Roman god Jupiter, signified military power and imperial authority. When adopted by Prussia, it embodied a sense of martial pride, efficiency, and a connection to the grandeur of the past. From ancient Rome to the German Empire, the image of the eagle has been revived, each time subtly altered to fit the current era's aspirations. Even here, in this humble advertisement, the eagle carries the weight of collective memory, reminding viewers of an idealized martial past. The card evokes feelings of national pride while subtly linking the tobacco brand with notions of strength and prestige.