Life, 1920-05-13 · page 41 of 52
Life — May 13, 1920 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a **straightforward cigarette advertisement** for Camel cigarettes by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. The ad features the Camel logo (a camel illustration) and uses a mock-military tone ("Yes sir-ee!") to appeal to consumers, likely men. The copy emphasizes that Camels are "made to your taste," highlighting their blend of Turkish and domestic tobacco and claiming they leave no unpleasant aftertaste or odor. The humor, if any, is mild—the forced enthusiasm and exaggerated claims ("never tire your taste") would read as typical 1920s-30s advertising hyperbole to modern readers. The page belongs in *Life* magazine's advertising section, not its editorial/satirical content. **What's striking to modern readers**: the complete absence of health warnings and the casual, aggressive marketing of cigarettes as a desirable, tasteful product—practices now heavily restricted by law.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-LI 6 1 £ your own taste will quickly prove that the happiest word you ever heard about Camel cigarettes isn’t a drop in the bucket compared with the enjoyment Camels pass out—such wonderful mild- mellow-body, such refreshing flavor ! Set down Camels quality and Camels expert blend of choice Turkish and choice Domestic tobaccos as a cigarette rev- elation! And, how you'll prefer Camels blend to either kind of tobacco smoked Straight ! Camels are so unusual in so mary ways that you may not be surprised co find that no matter how liberally you ig smoke, they never tire your taste! And, that Camels leave no unpleasant cigaretty aftertaste nor unpleasant cigaretty odor! : Dip into the joys of Camels and com- im pare them puff-by-puff with any ciga- tette in the world at any price! RJ, REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO., Winston-Salem, 1. C. FE Yes sir-ee! We made this cigarette | to meet your taste! Camels are sold | Ca tifically sealed pack- 3 of 20 cigarettes for 20 cents; or ten packages (200 cigarettes) in a giassine- paper-covered carton, We strongly recommend this car- ton for the home or office supply or when you travel. comicbooks.com