Private, 69th Regiment, New York State Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

Curator: This image, housed here at the Met, comes from a series of cards produced by the Kinney Tobacco Company in 1888. It depicts a private in the 69th Regiment of the New York State Militia. Editor: My initial reaction is one of curiosity. The colors feel both historical and a little... off. The flatness gives it the feeling of a children's book illustration. What's it printed on? Curator: It's a lithograph, which allows for that flatness you noticed. These cards were inserted into packs of Sweet Caporal cigarettes as a kind of premium or collectible. Consider the circulation and cultural value embedded in these commercial objects. Editor: Right, mass production driving artistic consumption. But let's focus on the lithography. Think about the skilled labor involved in creating the plates for each color. The paper itself would've been a specific grade, chosen for cost-effectiveness and print quality. That red stripe down the pant leg… is it just me, or is it slightly misaligned? Curator: I see what you mean. These cards weren't meant to be masterpieces; they were promotional tools. However, the choice of subject—the militia— speaks volumes about the politics of the time. Military imagery was incredibly popular, reinforcing patriotic ideals and national identity, and even helped reinforce colonial and expansionist goals. Editor: Exactly. And think about the hands holding the rifle. They're pristine white, gloved even! There's a detachment there, distancing the actual labor, the potential violence, of soldiering. What statement are they making about warfare? Curator: Precisely. The pristine uniform, the upright posture – it all contributes to a sanitized, idealized vision of military service. The "Fighting 69th" was known for its Irish heritage, appealing to a specific demographic. Editor: So, this seemingly simple card is packed with information about labor, consumerism, social identity, and even the sanitization of warfare through image production. Fascinating. Curator: It reveals the power of popular imagery to shape perceptions and reinforce social and political values. A tiny artifact of grand ambitions and layered histories.