Major, Ancient and Honorable Artillery, Waltham, Massachusetts, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have "Major, Ancient and Honorable Artillery, Waltham, Massachusetts" from 1888, part of the Military Series by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. It's a print, a cigarette card actually. I’m immediately struck by the somewhat... satirical presentation of military pomp. What's your read? Curator: That is an intriguing starting point. Given its origin as a tobacco advertisement, consider the symbolic weight of depicting military figures, even in caricature. What cultural ideals were they trying to associate with their "Sweet Caporal" cigarettes? It’s worth noting how tobacco companies at the time heavily relied on patriotism and strength, subtly weaving those symbols into their branding. Editor: That's fascinating! The "ancient and honorable" part of the title rings a little hollow when paired with a product like cigarettes. I wonder if the artist was being intentionally ironic, playing on the cultural reverence for the military? Curator: It's certainly possible. Look closely at the man's stance, his rather stiff posture. Does that remind you of anything? How about portraits of nobility and figures of power throughout art history? These images can appear straight-faced, while at the same time gently lampooning the idea of historical greatness, what psychologist Walter Benjamin called "cultural treasures". Editor: I see what you mean. So, perhaps the humor isn't just in the caricature itself, but in the clash of these high and low cultural symbols? The honorable soldier, versus the commercial product he advertises? Curator: Precisely! And in so doing, reveals a slice of that cultural memory as perpetuated in its time. How interesting that even something seemingly simple like this advertisement can reveal these rich ideas, layered within the symbolism. Editor: I never would have thought of it that way. It’s a reminder to look beyond the surface. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Every image, no matter how small, carries echoes of history and ideology.