Private of Cavalry, United States Army, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

Editor: This is a print from 1888 titled "Private of Cavalry, United States Army, 1886," made to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes by Kinney Tobacco Company. What strikes me is how stiff the soldier looks, almost like a paper doll. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: Ah, yes, the rigid formality of it! I find myself wondering what it felt like to *be* that soldier, encased in all that gear. Imagine the weight of that saber, the close fit of that helmet with its jaunty plume. It’s not just a portrait; it’s a snapshot—or rather, a stylized impression—of an era, of the military industrial complex that so many were becoming involved with and committed to. Do you think he ever longed to just… shed the uniform and run barefoot through a field? Editor: That’s a lovely thought! I was so focused on the official aspect, the uniform as a symbol of authority. Your image really brings it to life! But why a cigarette company, do you think? Curator: Well, think of it: Cigarettes were becoming hugely popular, linked to ideas of masculinity, freedom, and, unfortunately, often warfare. The company’s associating their brand with the image of the strong American soldier! I wonder how many young men saw this and thought, “That's who I want to be”? It's also another interesting case study in consumption, what did this cavalryman purchase in his leisure hours? The commercial world impacts our private lives. I wonder what Sweet Caporals taste like, what’s their history. The surface texture too has caught my eye... Almost feels like there might be an art book lurking just out of frame Editor: I never considered that angle before – the cigarette as part of the whole identity package! It’s kind of unsettling, but fascinating. Thanks, I’m definitely seeing this in a whole new way. Curator: That's the magic, isn't it? One minute, just a rigid soldier; the next, a universe of stories waiting to be unwound!