Captain, Royal Escort, Spain, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of a Spanish Royal Escort Captain was produced in 1886 by the Kinney Tobacco Company, as a promotional insert for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Chromolithography was a popular printing technique that boomed from the 1870s onwards. This small card is a testament to the democratizing power of industrial production. The image has been built up with multiple layers of ink applied to a lithographic stone or metal plate. These techniques allowed for the mass production of colorful images, making them accessible to a wide audience. But it also depended on factory labor. Notice how the Captain's vibrant uniform and proud stance are designed to catch the eye, enticing consumers to purchase Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The mass production of images like this reflects the growth of consumer culture and the increasing importance of advertising in the late 19th century. The card reminds us that art and commerce are often intertwined, and that even seemingly simple objects can reveal complex social and economic relationships.