Nicotine Bling

In days past, people smoked with class.  I know, it sounds absurd to use the word ‘class’ in conjunction with such a disgusting, nihlistic habit.  But countless movies, television shows, and advertisments of the pre-1970 era depict the art of smoking: hands elegantly poised, men courteously lighting their female companion’s cigarette, and of course, all the related accessories.  Lighters of both pocket, purse, and tabletop variety; long enameled holders a-la Breakfast at Tiffany’s; fancy boxes for your coffee table; and even ornamental cases to carry your smokes in – because using the original carton was ever so tacky.  This example is an enameled copper ladies’ case, depicting the bust of Nefertiti, c.1960.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Murad cigarettes have had a robust history, no doubt due to their colorful packaging and allure borrowed from the exotic Orient (Turkish cigarettes, Egyptian iconography).  The second image is an advertising postcard c. 1900 that cleverly appears to have a hand-written message from a fella named Jim: “The only thing to keep you in good humor while you are waiting for one thing or another here is (?) Murad cigarette.  Get them no matter what you have to pay – they’re worth it.  Regards from all to all.”

Blowing Smoke

Something about the sweet, thick smoke of quality tobacco conjurs up exotic imagery.  So what if the designer of this elaborate cigar box label squeezed in a few extra pyramids?  More is better.  Almost every theme associated with ancient Egypt is represented here, rendered in brilliant color and accented with metallic gold and embossing.  Tobacco companies at the turn of the last century weren’t familiar with the word ‘subtle’.

 

Taste Me!

Egyptian themes are rather prevalent in tobacco ads and packaging from the 1800s through the early twentieth century.  In more recent decades, the references are often secondary to the overall modernity of the ad, such as in this Doral cigarette ad from 1971.  The premise is that during the filming of “The Seven Pharaohs”, a singing pack of Doral cigarettes interrupts and steals the scene.

That’s right, I said singing.

Won’t Cure a Sore Throat Though…

If it were 1950 instead of 2010, I might just be reaching for one of these Kool menthol cigarettes to soothe my sore throat.  After all, the ad says “the mild menthol is definitely refreshing” and “it gives your throat a welcome change”.  Sounds good!  And that penguin in the desert imagery is pretty clever.  However, these being enlightened times, I’m going to reach for a noncarcinogenic throat lozenge instead.