Life — September 6, 1917 — page 39: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a cigarette advertisement, not political satire. It features an Egyptian sphinx statue as the brand's logo, capitalizing on early 20th-century fascination with Egyptian aesthetics and "exotic" imagery. The ad claims Rameses cigarettes are "the aristocrat of cigarettes" and uses the slogan "Nobody ever changes from Rameses"—suggesting customer loyalty. The sphinx conveys sophistication and timelessness, implying the product's unchanging quality and premium status. Packaging options are listed: tens, twenties, week-end tins, and large sizes for special occasions. The Egyptology reference was common in period advertising, using historical grandeur to market consumer goods. This reflects no particular political message, merely commercial appeals to status and tradition typical of vintage tobacco marketing.