Life, 1907-07-18 · page 21 of 28
Life — July 18, 1907 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **cigarette advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It appears in *Life* magazine and promotes "El Príncipe de Gales" cigars. The image shows a crowd gathered around a horse—likely depicting a Cuban tobacco market or auction scene, establishing authenticity and origin. The ad's purpose is reassurance: Cuban tobacco crops have failed (30-40% shortage), threatening cigar quality. However, the Havana-American Company claims to hold $7-8 million worth of premium leaf in warehouses across Cuba, Tampa, and Key West—representing two-thirds of island supplies fit for fine cigars. This exclusive stockpile guarantees uninterrupted production and "even better quality" than the brand's 60-year record. The message targets worried consumers: don't panic about shortages; established brands with stored reserves remain reliable. It's a commercial appeal to brand loyalty during supply-chain anxiety, with no satirical content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
guilty ked guilty a Important to Smokers of Fine Havana Cigars The last two crops of tobacco grown in Cuba show a shortage conservatively estimated at 30% to 40% below normal—a condition that: has seriously affected the production of genuine clear Havana cigars and will continue to do so. But even two years of short crops cannot affect the factories supplying Henry Clay and Bock & Co., Ltd., or the Havana-American Co. There is now in warehouses in Cuba, Tampa and Key West, between $7,000,000.00 and $8,000,000.00 worth of the very highest grade Cuban leaf, held exclusively for these Companies. These holdings represent at least two-thirds of all the leaf tobacco on the island fit for making -fine Havana cigars. This permits the undisturbed production of Fl Jrincipe de Gales “The King of Havana Cigars” and assures even better quality this year than ever before in its 60 years distinguished record. The impor- tance of depending at this time on a brand of long established reputation need not be emphasized. Made in many shapes and sizes at 10c to 50c each, and sold at all leading hotels, cafes, clubs and cigar stands, and also at all the United Cigar Stores throughout the country. HAVANA-AMERICAN COMPANY, Manufacturer comicbooks.com