Colonel, 1st Corps Cadets, Massachusetts, V.M., from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in the late 19th century as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It depicts a Colonel of the 1st Corps Cadets in Massachusetts, a visual shorthand for authority and respectability. The image is more than just a portrait; it’s a carefully constructed advertisement. Consider the cultural context of the time. In post-Civil War America, military imagery carried significant weight. The figure's crisp uniform, erect posture, and the presence of binoculars and a sword all speak to a tradition of leadership, valor, and service. Kinney Brothers were tapping into this sentiment, associating their product with these desirable qualities. Cigarettes, through images like this, were being marketed as a symbol of sophistication and success. To fully understand this image, we can delve into business archives, advertising history, and even military records. Such resources help us reveal the complex interplay between commerce, culture, and the visual arts. Art, in this instance, becomes a window into the values and aspirations of a bygone era.