Life — September 10, 1925 — page 40: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a cigarette advertisement from *Life* magazine, not political satire. It promotes Pall Mall cigarettes in various sizes and price points (King's Size at 50¢, Cork Tip at 25¢, and a special bulk offer of 20 for 30¢). The ad features an ornate circular frame showing an elegantly furnished interior—likely meant to evoke sophistication and refined taste. The tagline "They are good taste" suggests that smoking Pall Malls signals social status and refinement. The phrase "A shilling in London" provides transatlantic pricing context, while "Plain ends only" specifies the cigarette style being advertised. This represents early-20th-century tobacco marketing before health warnings.