Private, 12th Regiment, National Guard of the State of New York, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph, made by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1887, depicts a soldier of the New York National Guard, a symbol of civic duty and martial readiness. Notice the soldier's helmet, topped with an eagle. This recalls the Roman Empire, where the eagle symbolized military strength and imperial power. The Pickelhaube helmet itself, adopted by the Prussian army in the 19th century, evokes a sense of disciplined authority and might. Yet, observe the soldier's posture, a gesture of contained composure. Hands clasped, gaze steady—an emotional restraint, a quiet strength, is communicated. This gesture echoes across centuries. We see it in depictions of Roman emperors, Renaissance portraits of noblemen, each embodying a cultural ideal of self-control. This image also suggests that the meaning of the eagle has evolved, shifting from a symbol of imperial power to one of national identity. The image resonates with the collective memory of military valor, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with deeply ingrained ideals of honor and service.