Colonel, 8th Regiment, Massachusetts, V.M., from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph, produced by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, presents a Colonel from the 8th Regiment of Massachusetts. The figure is meticulously rendered, with a focus on the geometric and material details of the military attire. The composition emphasizes symmetry and order. Note how the figure's erect posture and the vertical lines of his coat and sword create a sense of formality and control. The uniform's dark color is contrasted by the bright buttons, belt, and epaulettes, drawing attention to the Colonel’s authority. The sharp lines and flat colors reflect the printmaking techniques of the time, yet the visual elements serve a purpose beyond mere representation. This image, mass-produced as a promotional item, can be understood as a sign. Here, the Colonel is a symbol of power and order, carefully constructed through visual cues. The image invites us to consider how such representations were used to shape perceptions of authority. Today, the work remains an object of ongoing re-interpretation.