Life — October 18, 1917 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is primarily a **cigarette advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes Fatima Turkish Blend Cigarettes, manufactured by Cameron & Cameron Co. of Richmond, Virginia. The ad features an ornate Ottoman mosque with minarets in the background, establishing an "exotic Turkish" brand identity. A large cigarette package dominates the center with decorative ribbons and the Fatima brand name prominently displayed. The tagline "The Original Turkish Blend" and "A Sensible Cigarette" suggest the product positioned itself as sophisticated and reasonable compared to competitors. The 15¢ price point indicates early 20th-century pricing. The exotic architectural imagery was common marketing strategy of the era, associating the product with romantic foreign allure to appeal to American consumers.