Life, 1915-07-29 · page 40 of 40
Life — July 29, 1915 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **cigarette advertisement**, not political satire. The illustration depicts an elegant social scene—likely a garden party or resort setting—where well-dressed men and women mingle. The ad targets "smart, active, virile young manhood," emphasizing that rolling one's own cigarettes with Bull Durham tobacco represents sophistication and masculine independence. The ad's appeal hinges on early 20th-century consumer culture: hand-rolling cigarettes was marketed as a superior, personalized alternative to mass-produced versions. The "FREE" booklet offering instructions on proper rolling technique reinforces this positioning. By modern standards, the most striking element is the unironic health language ("wholesome, lasting enjoyment"), reflecting pre-regulation tobacco marketing when health risks were unknown or unstated. The emphasis on "virile young manhood" would now read as crude gender targeting.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
July 29, 1915 Roll “Bull” Durham and the World Rolls with You “Bull” Durham tobacco in fresh-rolled cigarettes is smoked by smart, active, virile young manhood the world over. There's smacking, mellow-sweet flavor and relish to every puff of this famously good tobacco, that fit right in with youthful spirits and enthusiasm. There's immense satisfaction in making your own cigarettes just the way you want them, with the fresh, flavory tobacco you like best of all. GENUINE 6 99 Ask for FREE pack- B U LL Du R HAM Py ee t\ >) with each Se sack SMOKING TOBACCO \\ The millions of “ Bull” Durham smokers are men of wide tobacco-experience, They have used tobacco in many forms. They prefer “ Bull” Durham in fresh, hand-made cigarettes above all—because of the supreme tobacco satisfaction and wholesome, lasting enjoyment insured by “rolling their own.” “Bull” Durham is distinguished from all other tobaccos by its wonderfully pleasant, unique aroma. This fresh fragrance is combined ir “ Bull” Durham cigarettes with the most delightful mildness, mellowness and smoothness—a smoke of unusual character. 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. ‘THE AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY comicbooks.com