Royal Bodyguard, Austro-Hungary, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of a Royal Bodyguard of Austro-Hungary was printed in 1886 by the Kinney Tobacco Company, as one of a series to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a complex, multi-ethnic state, and its military uniforms reflected a blend of tradition and imperial power. Here, we see the visual codes of royalty and military might, from the ornate red jacket and trousers to the leopard skin draped over the soldier's shoulder. The uniform’s details emphasize hierarchy and status within the military, reinforcing the social order of the time. These cards were designed for mass consumption and offer us insights into the cultural values and aspirations of the late 19th century. To understand this image better, historians consult military records, fashion plates, and advertising archives, to reveal the complex interplay between commercial interests, imperial ideology, and popular culture.