Judge — December 2, 1916 — page 25: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is an advertisement for "Egyptian Deities" brand cigarettes, offering plain end or cork tip options. The ad features an exaggerated caricature of an Egyptian deity or pharaoh figure—likely representing Thoth or another ancient Egyptian god, given the ibis bird visible at the top. The marketing strategy exploits early 20th-century fascination with Egyptology and "exotic" imagery to sell cigarettes. The ornate headdress, beard, and mystical presentation appeal to consumers' attraction to ancient mysteries and luxury goods. The cigarette package is prominently displayed in the figure's hand. This reflects period advertising conventions that used ethnic and historical stereotypes liberally to market products, without concern for accuracy or sensitivity—simply leveraging popular cultural interests to drive sales.