Life — December 6, 1917 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Content Analysis This page is **primarily an advertisement for Tuxedo tobacco**, not political satire. The top panel shows a domestic Christmas scene with a couple—the woman decorating a tree, the man relaxing in a chair—illustrating the tagline "Your Nose Knows." The ad's central claim is that Tuxedo's distinctive fragrance reliably signals Christmas cheer and quality. It contrasts this "pure fragrance" against cheaper tobacco brands that might deceive consumers. The dramatic illustration on the left shows a fashionably dressed woman in evening wear, reinforcing the product's association with sophistication and refined taste. The bottom includes a "Try this Test" section encouraging consumers to compare Tuxedo's aroma against competitors, guaranteeing their nose will recognize its superiority. It's endorsed by "The American Tobacco Co., Incorporated." This reflects early 20th-century advertising's emphasis on sensory experience and brand reputation.