Life, 1916-01-20 · page 2 of 44
Life — January 20, 1916 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **cigarette advertisement**, not political satire. The page advertises Richmond Straight Cut Cigarettes, priced at fifteen cents. The ad uses nostalgic imagery comparing transportation evolution: "Self-Starters were Boots," "Horseless Carriages have given way to Gliding Palaces," suggesting progress and modernity. The central illustration depicts an old-fashioned carriage scene, evoking tradition and heritage. The marketing pitch emphasizes the product's Virginia tobacco as having an "appealing, old-time taste which has never been equalled in any other cigarette." The tagline "PREFERRED BY GENTLEMEN NOW AS THEN" explicitly markets these cigarettes as a timeless, refined choice for gentlemen—reflecting early 20th-century advertising strategies linking cigarettes to sophistication and masculine identity. This appears to be from an era when tobacco advertising in mainstream publications was entirely legal and common.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
a Dx ow ch wore Boots — «that fine old Virginia cigarette.” hem Richmond Straight Hf = Slorlane’ Cut Cigarettes were i WSL YD already known, even in those early days, as “HorselessCarriages” have given way to “Gliding Palaces,” but your grand- father would tell you that tt would be Besides the regular package shown here, these cigarettes are also packed in attractive tins, 50 for 40 cents: 100 for 75 cents. These larger packages will be sent prepaid on receipt of price if your dealer cannot supply you. RICHMOND, Vircimia,USA, Mien? Gintorg UGGETTS MYERS TOBACCO 00. sucecs96R. ) BY GENTLEMEN NOW AS THEN almost a sacrilege to try to improve good old Richmond Straight Cuts. Subtle in richness and delicate in aroma—their «bright” Virginia tobacco has an appealing, old-time taste which has never been equalled in any other cigarette. If you’ve never tried them—try them now. FIFTEEN comicbooks.com