Admiral, United States Navy, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

The Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company produced this lithograph of a U.S. Navy Admiral in 1886 as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal cigarettes. It's a colorful, idealized portrait of military authority in the late 19th century. The image creates meaning through visual codes. The Admiral’s elaborate uniform, complete with gold epaulets, buttons, and stripes, signifies power and status. The neutral backdrop and the ship railing do not distract from the central figure. This was a period of significant naval expansion and modernization in the United States, following the Civil War. The image reflects and celebrates the growing importance of the military in American society, and the institutional strength of tobacco companies. Understanding this artwork requires research into the history of advertising, military culture, and the social role of tobacco in the 19th century. Only then can we fully appreciate how it reflects the values and priorities of its time.