Officer, Meagher Guards, Providence, Rhode Island, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This lithograph of an officer of the Meagher Guards in Providence, Rhode Island was produced by the Kinney Tobacco Company in the late nineteenth century as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The image belongs to a time when American industry was booming, so companies turned to innovative advertising strategies, and these cards became very popular. The idealized depiction of military figures, like this Irish officer, tapped into a sense of national pride and cultural identity. The Meagher Guards were part of the Irish immigrant experience in America, referencing the history of Irish nationalism. The image is a window into the social and economic conditions that shaped popular culture, reflecting the complex relationship between commerce, identity, and military service. To understand the cultural significance of this trading card, one might consult archives and historical societies, providing valuable insights into the social history of advertising and consumer culture.