Palace Guards, Russia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of a Russian Palace Guard comes from a series issued by the Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards, though small, offer a glimpse into the cultural and political milieu of the late 19th century. The image presents us with a figure of imperial authority, meticulously rendered in vibrant colors. What does it mean to see this symbol of Russian power reduced to a collectible, included in a product designed for mass consumption? Consider how the company chose to represent foreign military figures. Here, the guard's ornate uniform and weapon are presented as exotic curiosities, far removed from the realities of military service and imperial power. The distribution of these cards also speaks to the complex relationships between commerce, representation, and cultural identity. These cards were predominantly circulated in the United States, at a time when it was consolidating its own global presence. They invite us to think about the ways in which foreign cultures are consumed, understood, and commodified through popular imagery.