Lieutenant, Albany Burgess Corps., National Guard of the State of New York, 1887, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

Issued in 1887 by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, this chromolithograph on card stock features a portrait of a Lieutenant from the Albany Burgess Corps. The vertical composition emphasizes the figure’s erect posture, immediately conveying a sense of military bearing. The color scheme is dominated by blues and golds that denote status and authority. Notice how the gold accents on the epaulettes, buttons, and belt create a visual hierarchy, drawing the eye upwards. The lieutenant’s towering fur hat both distorts and accentuates the verticality of the figure. The uniform divides the figure into distinct zones which may be interpreted as a symbolic representation of military rank and order. The card functions within the semiotic system of advertising, using the image to evoke associations of strength and sophistication with the Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The card then, is a complex interplay of visual codes and cultural symbols designed to appeal to consumers in the late 19th century. It is also a historical artifact, reflecting contemporary values and marketing strategies.