Officer of Dragoons, Norway, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph, depicting a Norwegian dragoon officer, was created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, sometime between 1869 and 2011, as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards offer a glimpse into the cultural milieu of the late 19th century, when tobacco companies often used exotic imagery to market their products. In these series, military figures are stripped of their historical and political contexts, becoming mere objects of fascination. Consider how this card catered to fantasies of power, valor, and colonial expansion, particularly among male consumers. The Norwegian officer, with his elaborate uniform and stoic demeanor, embodies a romanticized vision of military prowess. While seemingly innocuous, these cards reflect broader societal attitudes towards nationalism, militarism, and the construction of masculine identity during the height of European imperialism. They remind us to look critically at the images and narratives we consume, and to consider the power dynamics at play in their creation and circulation.