Life, 1920-09-23 · page 2 of 40
Life — September 23, 1920 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a straightforward **cigarette advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It promotes Murad brand Turkish cigarettes at 20 cents per pack. The ad uses orientalist imagery—a stylized Turkish mosque and architectural elements—to market "100% pure Turkish tobacco" as a luxury product. The copy emphasizes quality over quantity, claiming Murads are "the largest selling high-grade cigarette in the world" and appeals to American smokers' preference for quality. The elegant hand holding cigarettes is a common advertising device of the era, suggesting sophistication and refined taste. There's no cartoon or satirical intent here—it's period marketing that exploits exotic Turkish imagery to sell cigarettes as a status symbol to discriminating American consumers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE Turkish S rndeod Every day MURADS are held higher in the estimation of the men who smoke them. They are the standard of Taste. They never disappoint—never fail—never change— They are 100% pure Turkish to- bacco—of the finest varieties grown. You are proud to smoke them in any company—on any occasion. They are the largest selling high- grade cigarette in the world. The cigarette smokers of America DO preter Quality to Quantity. “Judge Jor Yourself—!” Mok comicbooks Samay