Major General, United States Army, 1835, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of a Major General from the United States Army was made in 1888 by the Kinney Tobacco Company. It was part of a series of collectible cards included in packs of Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards reflect an era of burgeoning nationalism and commercialism, where even military figures became tools for brand promotion. It's interesting to note the fetishization of military uniforms, turning symbols of authority into consumer objects. The Kinney Brothers were tapping into a cultural moment - the aftermath of the Civil War - where military prowess held a potent symbolic value. They were also a major player in the tobacco industry, which consolidated and expanded aggressively during the late 19th century. Further research into advertising history, military iconography, and the Kinney Brothers' business practices could reveal more about the social and cultural context of this simple promotional card. What’s clear is that the meaning of art is always shaped by the institutions that produce and circulate it.