Private, 7th Regiment, New York State Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph, created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1888, depicts a Private of the 7th Regiment, New York State Militia. It is one of a series of cards produced by the company to promote their Sweet Caporal cigarettes. The illustration is a full-length portrait of the soldier in his military uniform, holding a rifle. The soldier is shown standing at attention. The card is small, measuring 2 3/4 × 1 1/2 in. and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. These cards were a popular form of advertising in the late 19th century. The company used them to create a connection between their cigarettes and American patriotism and military service.