Life — December 18, 1924 — page 36: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a **cigarette advertisement**, not a political cartoon or satire. The page advertises "Pall Mall Special Size" cigarettes at thirty cents for twenty cigarettes. The design features the British Royal Coat of Arms (the lions, unicorn, and heraldic shield), which appears meant to suggest quality, prestige, and aristocratic association. The advertisement claims these cigarettes represent "the greatest quality purchase in the world." The tagline "They Are Good Taste" plays on the dual meaning of taste—both flavor and refined social judgment. By associating the product with British royal imagery, the ad appeals to aspirational consumers seeking to signal sophistication and class through cigarette choice. This reflects early-to-mid 20th century advertising practices of using national symbols and status markers to market consumer goods.