Life, 1926-12-23 · page 36 of 37
Life — December 23, 1926 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Camel cigarette advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. The page appeared in *Life* magazine in 1926 as paid advertising. The ad uses Christmas sentiment to market cigarettes by associating them with holiday relaxation and gift-giving. It depicts a cozy domestic scene—a couple by a fireplace with a decorated tree—and repeatedly urges readers to "have a Camel" at key Christmas moments: trimming the tree, hanging stockings, settling by the fire, and reflecting on the day's work. The pitch emphasizes quality ("choicest of Turkish and Domestic tobaccos") and suggests Camels as an ideal gift for friends. There's no identifiable caricature or political figure—just aspirational holiday imagery designed to normalize cigarette consumption as part of festive celebration. By modern standards, the advertisement is striking for its casual promotion of tobacco to mass audiences during a period before health warnings were mandated or widely publicized.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
xX When the tree is trimmed for the great day—when the peace and good cheer of Christmas are almost here —have a Camel! Camels represent the utmost in cigarette quality. The choicest of Turkish and Domestic tobaccos are blended into Camels by master blenders and the finest of French cigarette paper is made especially for them. No other cigarette is like Camels, They are the over- whelming choice of experienced smokers. WHEN the stockings are hung by the mantel. And the children’s tree is ablaze with the gifts and toys for tomorrow’s glad awakening. When joyously tired at midnight you settle down by the languishing fire — have a Camel! For to those who think of others, there is no other gift like Camels. Camel en- joyment enriches every busy day, increases the gladness in giving, makes life’s antic- ipations brighter. Before Camel, no cigarette ever was so good. Camels are made of such choice tobac- cos that they never tire the taste or leave a cigaretty after-taste. So on this Christmas Eve, when your work for others is done — when you're too glad for sleep with thoughts of tomorrow’s happiness — have then the mellowest— Have a Camel! Remember your fe closest friends with « supply of Camels fi Christmas end th days to come. Mail ¢ send your Camel cartor early, so that they mil be delivered in amp! time. R. J. Reynolds Tobacce Company Winston-Salem, N.C. comicbooks.com