Life, 1915-02-18 · page 43 of 44
Life — February 18, 1915 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a full-page advertisement, not satire—it's a genuine promotional piece for "Bull" Durham smoking tobacco by The American Tobacco Company. The illustration depicts well-dressed men at a fashionable social gathering, with women present. The ad's pitch is that rolling your own cigarettes with Bull Durham tobacco signals sophistication and experience among "smart American men." It emphasizes that the practice is "correct, up-to-date" and socially stylish—the fragrance appeals to women at parties. The advertisement plays on early 20th-century status anxiety: owning the skill to hand-roll cigarettes (rather than buying pre-made ones) demonstrated refinement and leisure time. The free offer of papers and instructional booklet was a common marketing strategy. By modern standards, the casual promotion of smoking as an essential social grace and status symbol is striking, as is the complete absence of health warnings.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Bull” Durham, the Smoke of Hospitality At fashionable house-parties, gay week-end gatherings, wherever smart- American men assemble for recreation, mellow “ Bull" Durham tobacco adds to their enjoyment:. It is correct, up-to-date, notably stylish to “roll your own” cigarettes with “ Bull ’’ Durham—stamps you as a smoker of experience—and that delicate, distinctive ‘Bull’ Durham fragrance is always very agreeable to the ladies of the party. GENUINE ‘BULL DURHAM SMOKING TOBACCO “Bull” Durham is unique among the world’s high-class smoking tobaccos—and has been for generations. Millions of smokers find in the fresh cigarettes they Ak for FREE pechage ol fashion to their own liking with this deliciously mild, fragrant tobacco, ¢ papers” with each Se sack supreme enjoyment and satisfaction obtainable in no other way. Roll a cigarette with “Bull” Durham today. Learn that original, exquisite aroma—the refreshing smoothness and mellowness—the irresist- ible appeal of this world-famous tobacco. FREE An Illustrated Booklet, showing correct way to “Roll Your Own” Cigarettes, and a package of cigarette papers, will both be mailed, free, to any address in U.S. on request. Address “Bull” Durham, Durham, N. C., Room 1295. x THE AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY PETER J. CAREY, PRINTER