Example of one variety of card verso, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This is a commercial card produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of their Military Series, promoting Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Visually, the card presents a dense arrangement of text, organized in distinct blocks and hierarchies using varied font sizes and styles. The neutral background allows the text to dominate, creating a striking contrast that immediately draws the viewer's eye. At the centre, an overprinted circular stamp partially obscures the underlying text, adding a layer of visual complexity and texture. The card is structured not just to inform but to persuade, typical of advertising ephemera of the time. The strategic repetition of brand names like "Sweet Caporal" and "Kinney Bros." works as a form of branding, aiming to establish product recognition and appeal. The material qualities of the card, such as its size and texture, also contribute to its functionality as a collectible item included within cigarette packs, designed to encourage repeat purchases.