Officer, 4th Regiment, Iowa, National Guard, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This 1888 lithograph by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company depicts a soldier from the 4th Regiment of the Iowa National Guard, likely meant to appeal to a working class audience of men who enjoyed smoking Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The vivid colors and bold lines of the image are characteristic of the chromolithographic printing process, popular for mass-produced goods in the 19th century. The soldier's striking uniform and proud stance contribute to a sense of patriotism and masculinity, likely intended to promote the brand's image. This card, part of a larger series, is a significant example of how commercial art was used to promote products in late 19th-century America.