Life — December 6, 1917 — page 74: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a **cigarette advertisement** from Life magazine, not political satire. It promotes "Egyptian Deities" brand cigarettes as "The Utmost in Cigarettes." The ad uses an **orientalist visual theme**: a luxurious dinner scene with Egyptian hieroglyphic imagery and classical Egyptian aesthetic elements (visible in the background design). A well-dressed woman is shown smoking, surrounded by elegant companions and cigarette packages prominently displayed. The tagline claims cultured, educated people "PREFER Deities to any other cigarette"—a common advertising strategy appealing to aspirational consumers by associating the product with sophistication and refinement. This reflects early-to-mid 20th century marketing practices: using exotic imagery and appeals to class status to sell cigarettes, before modern health warnings existed.