10th Regiment, Uhlans, Russia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have “10th Regiment, Uhlans, Russia,” a print from 1888 by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. It shows a very upright, maybe even stiff, soldier in full regalia. What strikes me is how it's used to advertise cigarettes, but also... What am I meant to think about this man and his role? Curator: Well, the intersection of military imagery and consumer culture is a loaded one. Tobacco cards like this were hugely popular. Think about what this image projects. Militarism becomes entwined with everyday desires and pleasures. It is meant to normalize and almost romanticize power. Do you see how the bright colors and attention to detail aestheticize something that has traditionally excluded queer or feminine identifying bodies? Editor: That makes a lot of sense! So, it's not just about selling cigarettes; it’s about selling an image of national pride. Is this card also reinforcing gender roles, too? Curator: Exactly. The soldier represents strength, discipline, and ultimately, a very specific kind of masculinity tied to nationhood and empire. Who is included in the definition of 'nation' at this time, and who is violently excluded? The image is neat, organized, and designed to enforce those strict lines. And selling it through something as accessible as a cigarette packet is...genius, if cynical. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. So, what looks like just a portrait is actually steeped in social and political messaging? Curator: Absolutely. This seemingly simple card reveals how deeply power structures infiltrate daily life, shaping not only our consumer habits but also our understanding of identity and belonging. And for some viewers then, this image might have represented control rather than belonging. Editor: Wow, I’ll never look at these cards the same way again. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Always question what these images are doing and whom they serve.