Captain, 11th Hussars, England, 1879, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of a Captain in the 11th Hussars was printed by the Kinney Tobacco Company in 1879 as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The card depicts a British military officer in full dress uniform, complete with a saber. These cards were not simply advertisements; they were cultural artifacts reflecting the social and political climate of Victorian England. The glorification of the military, the celebration of empire, and the implicit endorsement of social hierarchy were all part of the cultural currency of the time. Tobacco companies like Kinney were active participants in shaping and reinforcing these values. They did so by producing images that resonated with popular ideals of patriotism, valor, and national pride. To fully understand this image, we need to consider the history of British Imperialism, the social structure of the British military, and the emerging commercial culture of the late 19th century. Such research highlights how even a seemingly innocuous commercial item can offer insights into the complex interplay of art, commerce, and social values.