Forage Cap, Light Artillery, United States, from the Military Uniforms series (T182) issued by Abdul Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

This charming color lithograph from 1881 belongs to the Military Uniforms series (T182), a set of collectible cards issued by Abdul Cigarettes. Measuring just over three by one and three-quarter inches, the card depicts a forage cap worn by light artillery soldiers in the United States. Produced as commercial ephemera, these small prints were tucked into cigarette packages to encourage brand loyalty and collecting among consumers. Color lithography allowed for bright, detailed images to be reproduced affordably at scale, making military subjects accessible to a broad public during the late nineteenth century. Such cards blended advertising with informal education, offering glimpses of uniforms, ranks, and equipment from armies around the world. The example now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Burdick Collection, where it preserves a vivid snapshot of both military history and the popular graphic culture of its time.

About the Artist

Abdul Cigarettes · 1881–1881

Abdul Cigarettes, an enigmatic American entity active solely in 1881, stands as a fascinating footnote in the history of commercial art, best known for producing vibrant chromolithograph trade cards inserted into cigarette packages as promotional inserts. Little is documented about its origins or personnel, suggesting it operated as a short-lived publishing venture rather than the work of a singul...