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

This trade card, from the "Military Series" issued by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, depicts a uniformed military figure standing at attention, holding a ceremonial spear. The card, which measures just 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches, is a prime example of trade cards created to advertise products in the late 19th century. The card's simple design and colorful imagery likely appealed to a wide audience. The card is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.