Life, 1926-08-19 · page 36 of 37
Life — August 19, 1926 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **cigarette advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It promotes Camel brand cigarettes to vacation-goers. The ad uses imagery of outdoor leisure—people relaxing by scenic landscapes—to associate smoking with relaxation and contentment. The text frames cigarettes as essential vacation companions, even suggesting bringing cartons into remote wilderness to trade with people as "the password to friendliness." **Key period context a modern reader would miss:** - In 1926, cigarette advertising in mainstream magazines was standard and unregulated - Health dangers of smoking were not yet widely acknowledged publicly - The ad assumes smoking enhances social bonding and relaxation - Marketing targeted leisure activities and promised cigarettes wouldn't create "after-taste" The bottom image shows a Camel cigarette package. This represents advertising from an era when such promotions appeared freely in "Life" magazine without health warnings or restrictions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Camels are sold wherever civilization has its stores. If going into the deep woods or far back in the mountains where trade and people have not come, better take several cartons of Camels with you. You'll find "Have a Camel” the password to friendliness, everywhere, ren vacation time | has come again—and you're off in your car for the land of carefree outdoors —have a Camel! WHEN glad vacation time again is here. Ah, then— when straight ahead lie the great woods and sparkling waters of your own out- doors—have a Camel! For each happy day is more satisfying, more rest- ful for the companionship of Camels. Camels have never been known to tire the taste—they are made of such choice tobaccos. Cam- els are so perfectly blended that they never leave a cig- aretty after-taste. Rolled into Camels is the utmost in cigarette goodness and enjoyment. So as you start away for a deserved vacation. As the long road calls you on to unexplored land. When each day you feel more joy- ously rested—taste then the perfect contentment. When it’s your right to be happy, have the best cigarette made, regardless of price. Have a Camel! Our highest wish, if you do not, yet know and enjoy Camel quality, is that you may try them. We invite you to com- pare Camels with eny cigarette et any price. R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Winston-Salem, N. C. comicbooks.com