Life, 1916-01-20 · page 43 of 44
Life — January 20, 1916 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a full-page **cigarette advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It's a 1920s-era Camel brand ad from Life magazine promoting a Turkish-domestic tobacco blend. The ad emphasizes the product's supposed superiority: the blend creates a "new flavor," lacks harshness ("free from bite, parch"), and can be smoked "liberally without a regret." Marketing claims include that Camels won't "tire your taste" no matter consumption volume. The advertisement includes packaging details (20 cigarettes for 10 cents) and a circular inset showing the package's end-seal stamp, highlighting preservation methods. **For modern readers**: This represents an era when cigarettes were marketed without health warnings, using pseudo-scientific language about "quality" and "mildness" to normalize heavy smoking. The casual suggestion that one can smoke "liberally without regret" would be illegal in contemporary advertising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Camels are sold everywhere in scientifically sealed packages, 20 for 10c; or ten packages (200 cigarettes) in a glassine- covered carton for $1.00. We strongly recommend this carton for the home or office supply or when you travel. CIGARETTES The choice Turkish and Domestic blend creates a new flavor you'll prefer to either kind of tobacco smoked straight! Camels are cigarettes that meet universal favor! That new laste is distinctive. Camels are free from bite, parch and any The stamp placed over end seals unpleasant cigarett ter-ta: the package, which keeps out air, ip igaretly aft ste! thereby preserving the quality of the Your quick-line on Camel quality, flavor, mildness—and the pred Sohacoor. By inserting the unusual satisfaction they afford—is to compare Camels with wahich folds back iets place, any cigaretle at any price! Camels will stand the severest test and prove their superiority point by point! The blend makes this possible. They are so good you do not look for or expect coupons or premiums! Your appreciation of Camel blended Cigarettes will increase when you personally know that they may be smoked liberally without a regret! The enticing mellowness of Camels is so backed with desirable body, and the flavor is so different, so refreshing, that no matter how many you smoke, Camels will not tire your taste! Camels 20 for 10c. R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO., Winston-Salem, N. C.