Chasseur, Officer, Sweden, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of a Swedish Chasseur officer was produced around 1886 by the Kinney Tobacco Company to advertise Sweet Caporal cigarettes. Here we see a full-length portrait of a military officer in uniform. Cigarette cards like these offer us an interesting window into the social and cultural landscape of the late 19th century. As a marketing tool, these cards provide insight into the values, interests, and aspirations of the time. This card reflects the widespread fascination with military might and national identity of the era, part of an emergent sense of nationalism and the glorification of military service. The choice to depict a Swedish officer speaks to a broader interest in European culture and military prowess. Understanding this image requires us to look at the institutions of both art and commerce. Researchers might explore the Kinney Tobacco Company, the history of advertising, and the role of chromolithography in shaping popular visual culture. This object’s meaning lies as much in its intended audience and purpose as in its aesthetic qualities.