Judge — August 2, 1919 — page 36: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a vintage cigarette advertisement, not political satire. It features three women in exotic, orientalist costume (turbans, jewelry, theatrical makeup) promoting "MURAD — 100% PURE TURKISH" cigarettes by S. Anargyros. The tagline reads: "It is true that ordinary cigarettes cost a trifle less. Judge for yourself!" The ad uses the common early-20th-century marketing tactic of exotic "Turkish" imagery to sell cigarettes, appealing to consumer desires for luxury and worldliness. The women's costumes evoke orientalist fantasy rather than authentic Turkish dress. This reflects period attitudes toward non-Western cultures as exotic marketing tools, alongside competitive pricing claims typical of the era's aggressive cigarette advertising.