Lieutenant, Artillery, United States Army, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph, "Lieutenant, Artillery, United States Army, 1886," was produced by the Kinney Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. In the late 19th century, as the U.S. Army continued its expansion into indigenous territories, the image of the soldier became a potent symbol of American power and identity. Here, the meticulously rendered uniform and weaponry emphasize the soldier's authority, yet consider the nuanced ways in which class and commerce intersect. Distributed with tobacco products, this image speaks to the increasing commodification of military ideals and the marketing of masculinity. While the image upholds a conventional representation of military prowess, its origin as a marketing tool invites us to question how such symbols function in a society shaped by consumerism and the realities of colonial expansion. Ultimately, this small card reflects the complex interplay between identity, power, and consumer culture in a rapidly changing America.