Life — April 1, 1920 — page 60: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a cigarette advertisement for Pall Mall brand, not a political cartoon. The ad appears in Life magazine (dated April 1, 1928, based on the header). The image shows a cigarette package elegantly wrapped in tissue paper with a decorative ribbon, presented as a gift. The advertisement targets affluent hosts by suggesting that serving cigarettes from a 100-pack demonstrates "generous hospitality" and "good taste." The mention of "Plain" and "Cork" refers to available filter options. This reflects 1920s social attitudes when offering cigarettes to guests was considered a mark of refinement and generosity—before widespread awareness of smoking's health dangers. The luxurious presentation emphasizes the product's status as a sophisticated gift.