Officer, 6th Royal Dragoons, Great Britain, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company created this small lithograph to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, as part of the Military Series (N224). These cards capture a moment in time that reflects the intertwining of commerce, nationalism, and military authority. The officer pictured is idealized, embodying the power and prestige of the British Empire. Yet, the image is also an advertisement, commodifying military service for consumption. The British Empire's global reach was built on the labor and resources of colonized peoples, rarely acknowledged in these depictions. The red uniform and gleaming sword represent authority, and the cigarette becomes a symbol of leisure. These cards were collected and traded, embedding these images of power into everyday life. How does seeing this image now, removed from its original context, change its meaning for you?