Life, 1915-01-14 · page 43 of 44
Life — January 14, 1915 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **tobacco advertisement**, not satire. It appeared in *Life* magazine during the early 20th century when cigarette ads were commonplace in mainstream publications. The ad depicts well-dressed men in top hats leaving the opera—a marker of upper-class refinement. The copy associates "Bull" Durham smoking tobacco with sophistication and masculine achievement, claiming that cultured gentlemen roll their own cigarettes with this brand. The "joke" (if any) is gentle: despite their wealth and status, these fashionable men pause to enjoy a humble tobacco product, suggesting its quality transcends social class. **Context modern readers miss:** This advertisement normalizes smoking as an aspirational activity tied to elegance and self-made success. The "roll your own" angle positioned the product as economical yet refined—accessible luxury. No health warnings appear; such advertising was legal and culturally accepted.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LIFE: LCAVALANAOUCEOAMYOOOATOCSAS OAC OAL e eA AS SE A fF Men of Fashion Smoke “Bull” Durham In the brilliant exodus after a big night at smoke of “Bull Durham tobacco. Theirs the opera, men who subscribe to boxes for __are the strong, active hands of self-achievement the season—masters of the fine art of enjoy- | —capable of controlling the destinies of an ment—utilize the interval before the approach _ industry, or of contriving a perfectly rolled of their limousines in relishing a fresh, tetons “Bull” Durham cigarette with equal ads, GENUINE ‘BULL DURHAM SMOKING TOBACCO packeseo! "papers with each Sc sack Cigarettes rolled with this pure, mild, sun-mellowed tobacco are supremely gratifyin to the trained smoke-taste—their freshness and smoothness wholly sticlaful shar balmy, distinctive, unique fragrance appetible beyond comparison. That is why connoisseurs throughout the world prefer to “roll their own” cigarettes with ‘Bull’ Durham. An Illustrated Booklet, showing correct way to “Roll LY ee.) FRE Your Own” Cigarettes, and a package of cigarette papers, 25; will both be mailed free, to any address in U. ¢ on Wy request. Address “Bull” Durham, Durham, N. C., Room 1295. —/— | THE AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY reten J. €