Judge — August 30, 1919 — page 36: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a **cigarette advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes Murad brand Turkish cigarettes, marketed as "100% Pure Turkis" (Turkish). Three women in exotic costume—featuring turbans, veils, and ornate headpieces—embody an "Oriental" aesthetic popular in 1920s advertising. The styling evokes Orientalist fantasy rather than authentic Turkish culture. The sales pitch claims: "It is true that ordinary cigarettes cost a trifle less. Judge for yourself!" This positions Murad as a premium product justifying higher prices through quality and prestige. The exotic imagery was a common marketing strategy of the era, using foreign/non-Western aesthetics to make products seem luxurious and desirable to American consumers. The advertisement exploits period stereotypes about "the Orient" to sell cigarettes.