Life, 1919-09-04 · page 47 of 48
Life — September 4, 1919 — page 47: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not satire or political commentary**—it's a straightforward cigarette advertisement from Life magazine, likely early-to-mid 20th century. The page promotes Camel cigarettes by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The central image shows a Camel cigarette package featuring the iconic camel logo and "Turkish & Domestic Blend" labeling. The ad emphasizes quality through claims of superior flavor, lack of unpleasant aftertaste, and a blend of Turkish and domestic tobaccos. **Historical context for modern readers:** This advertisement predates tobacco health warnings and represents an era when cigarettes were openly marketed to the general public without health disclaimers. The price (18 cents per package) and packaging details reflect early 20th-century retail practices. The ad's appeals to taste and "quality" would later become legally restricted as scientific evidence of smoking's dangers emerged.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
18 cents a package Camels are sold everywhere in sci- cntifically sealed packages of 20 cigarettes; or ten packages (200 cigarettes) in a glassine-paper- covered carton, We strongly recom- mend this carton for the home cr office supply or when you travel. CIGARETTES OU'LL prefer Camel Cigarettes expert blend of choice Turkish and choice Domestic tobaccos to either kind smoked straight. Your taste will prove that! Camels are so exceptional in flavor, in fragrance and in mellowness that you quickly realize their remarkable quality. It will be your constant delight to find Camels so full bodied though so mild and smooth. You may gratify your keenest desires to smoke liberally. Camels will not tire your taste! Your enjoyment increases as you get to know Camels better. They return such generous cigarette satisfaction. Camels certainly fit your taste exactly as if they had been made for it. Camels are unlike any cigarette you ever smoked. For instance, they leave no unpleasant cigaretty aftertaste or cigaretty odor. In fact Camels are in a class by themselves! That’s why we ask you to compare Camels with any cigarette in the world at any price! You will not look for or expect premiums, coupons or gifts. You’ll prefer Camel quality! J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY, Winston-Salem, N. C. comicbooks.com