Montgomery True Blues, Alabama Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This colorful lithograph, "Montgomery True Blues, Alabama Militia," from the "Military Series" (N224) is a trade card issued by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal cigarettes in 1888. The card depicts a soldier in a blue uniform with a white cross belt, a bearskin cap, and holding a musket. This is a prime example of trade cards, which were popular advertising pieces in the late 19th century, utilizing vibrant colors and detailed imagery to capture attention. The card is a valuable artifact showcasing the merging of marketing and art during this period, while providing insight into the visual representation of military attire in 1880s America.