Ponka Chief, North America, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes
Medium
Commercial color lithograph
Dimensions
Sheet: 2 3/4 × 1 1/2 in. (7 × 3.8 cm)
Classification
Prints|Ephemera
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick
Accession Number
Burdick 218, N224.3
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with *Ponka Chief, North America*, a charming chromolithograph from the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company's Military Series (N224). in 1888 to their popular Sweet Caporal Cig, this tiny card—measuring just 2¾ × 1½ inches—was one of many collectibles tucked into cigarette packs to entice smokers and spark a trading frenzy among enthusiasts. The series highlighted martial figures from around the globe, blending exoticism with patriotism in an era when tobacco marketing leaned heavily on colorful ephemera. Depicting a dignified Ponka (Ponca) Chief from the Great Plains Native American tribes, the image reflects the era's fascination with indigenous warriors, often romanticized through a Western lens. The Ponca people, known for their resilience amid U.S. expansion and forced relocations, were emblematic of broader cultural narratives around "military" prowess. This card captures that spirit in vivid detail, showcasing the chief's traditional regalia against a backdrop that evokes strength and tradition. Produced via commercial color lithography—a groundbreaking technique for affordable, mass-printed hues—this piece exemplifies the artistry of everyday objects. Now preserved in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it offers a window into Gilded Age commerce, collecting culture, and evolving perceptions of Native American identity. A delightful nugget of history in your palm!
About the Artist
Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company · 1869–2011
**Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company (1869–2011)** Founded around 1869 by Francis Sherwood Kinney in New York City, the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company quickly rose to prominence in the burgeoning American cigarette industry. Francis, a pioneering tobacco manufacturer, experimented with hand-rolled cigarettes using blends of Turkish and Virginia tobacco, scaling to mass production by employing Europ...