Private, 71st Regiment, New York State Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph was made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Here, a soldier stands at attention, rifle in hand, clad in the uniform of the 71st Regiment of the New York State Militia. Note the star emblazoned on his helmet. This symbol, deeply rooted in human history, transcends mere military affiliation. Think of the ancient goddess Ishtar, her eight-pointed star a beacon of power and divinity, or the star of Bethlehem, guiding the magi. The star evokes notions of destiny, guidance, and higher purpose. Consider, too, how the image of the soldier, upright and stoic, taps into a collective memory of martial virtue. From the bronze statues of Roman legionaries to Renaissance depictions of noble knights, the armed figure has long served as a potent symbol of courage, sacrifice, and the defense of communal values. Such imagery, recurring across cultures and eras, reminds us of the enduring human fascination with power, protection, and the psychological comfort found in symbols of strength.