Life, 1918-04-25 · page 40 of 40
Life — April 25, 1918 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Velvet pipe tobacco advertisement** from April 23, 1918, using political satire as its hook. The cartoon depicts three figures labeled "The Barred Zone"—likely representing **Uncle Sam** (top hat, left), **Mother Nature** (center), and an older bearded man (right)—guarding barrels marked "Battletime Tobacco for Other Uses." The satire plays on **WWI-era tobacco rationing and restrictions**. The ad argues that natural aging ("Mother Nature's way") produces superior tobacco, contrasting it with wartime "forced curing" processes. The joke appears to be that even amid government controls on tobacco supplies, Velvet's naturally-aged product remains superior. The inclusion of "Mother-in-law Process" as a joke reference is unclear without additional context, though it seems to mock inferior artificial methods. The ad costs 10 cents and is from Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LOWLY but surely, Mother Nature develops the rich tobacco flavor that belongs only to Kentucky’s choicest Burley. Two years of Nature’s ageing make VELVET everything a pipe tobacco ought to be. —the price 10 cents Forced curing is quicker and less expensive. But no artificial process can produce the complete enjoyment that’s in good tobacco. After all, Nature’s way is best. No other way can bring out the mellowness, the mild heartiness, the coolness that make VELVET so smooth and enjoyable in your pipe. When I smoke, I want my tobacco cured by Mother Nature — not by Mother-in-law foe Process. Try the ten cent tin of Velvet. Leggett Myers Iibacco Co TOBACCO | Se UectTT Cnvees 1eaaccocg |) comicbookggom)