Captain, 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, England, 1879, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph was made by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1879, as part of a series promoting Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It depicts a Captain in the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, England. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, offer a glimpse into the visual culture of the late 19th century, reflecting both imperial pride and commercial interests. Clad in a vibrant red and blue uniform, the Captain embodies the ideal of British military prowess, a symbol of power during a time of extensive colonial expansion. What does it mean to see this figure divorced from the violence of colonialism? While seemingly innocuous, the card participates in the complex web of commodity culture and the romanticization of military life, glossing over the realities of war and imperial conquest. It invites us to consider the relationship between consumerism, national identity, and the perpetuation of historical narratives.