A Vote for Cancer
Tobacco Advertising and Presidential Elections
“OLD HONESTY
NON-PARTISAN
Political Map
OF THE
UNITED STATES
SHOWING THE
Presidential Vote of 1880″ (2 pages)
Fold-out map printed by Rand, McNally & Co., Map Publishers, Chicago as a promotional item by John Finzer & Bros. tobacco company for Old Honesty plug tobacco
1884
“PANORAMA OF THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM Revolutionary Times UPON WHICH THE CHIEF POLITICAL EVENTS ARE RECORDED FOR THE INSTRUCTION AND ENTERTAINMENT OF CHEWERS OF OLD HONESTY PLUG TOBACCO”
“OLD HONESTY Non-Partisan Political Map SHOWING PRESIDENTIAL VOTE OF 1880 AND OTHER ELECTION STATISTICS”
“Chewers of Old Honesty Plug Tobacco are never late. They carry the Old Honesty Waterbury Watch, 80,000 of which have been sent with compliments of John Finzer & Bros., and Free of Charge to chewers of Old Honesty. Ask any retailer how to get an Old Honesty Watch.”
“Our political motto, and the one we advise all of our friends to adopt is, chew OLD HONESTY, and get for your money Honest Quality and Honest Quantity. OLD HONESTY is a sweet chew and always soft.”
“We often hear of tobacco chewers complain of sore mouth. If you have trouble of this kind, chew OLD HONESTY. No drugs are used in its manufacture.”
“LOGAN — We’ve got the nomination, but to get elected we must keep the Boys supplied with
CAPADURAS
The best 5 CT. SEGARS n the country.
BLAINE — Right you are, GENERAL!”
Advertising card by Straiton & Storm’s Cigars, New York for Capadura cigars
1884
(Curator’s note: James Gillespie Blaine [1830-1893] was the Republican nominee for president in 1884 and lost to Grover Cleveland. He represented Maine in the United States House of Representatives from 1863 to 1876 [serving as Speaker from 1869 to 1875] and then in the United States Senate from 1876 to 1881. He also served as Secretary of State in 1881 and from 1889 to 1892. John Alexander Logan [1826-1886] was Blaine’s vice-presidential running mate. He served as a general in the Union Army in the Civil War, as a member of the U. S. House of Representatives [1859 -1862; 1867-1871] from Illinois, and as a U. S. senator [1871-1877; 1879-1886].)
“HENDRICKS. – Ah, Governor, the CAPADURA is a good representative of our party. It is an honest Cigar. IT GIVES VALUE FOR THE MONEY.
“CLEVELAND. – Right you are, Senator! Only keep the boys well supplied with them, as I did, and New York is good for another 200,000 majority.”
Advertising card by Straiton & Storm’s Cigars, New York for Capadura cigars
1884
(Curator’s note: Thomas Andrews Hendricks [1819-1885] was the vice-presidential running mate of Grover Cleveland in the 1884 presidential election. He served as the 21st Vice-President of the United States from March 1885 until his death in November 1885. Hedricks had served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1851-1855 and in the U.S. Senate from 1863-1869. He also served as the 16th governor of Indiana from 1873 to 1877. Stephen Grover Cleveland [1837-1908] was the first Democrat to win the presidency following the Civil War. He served as President from 1885 to 1889 and again from 1893 to 1897. As mayor of Buffalo in 1882 and governor of New York from 1883 to 1885, Cleveland had built a reputation as an opponent of corruption. On July 1, 1893, President Cleveland underwent the first of two secret operations aboard a yacht in the Potomac River to remove a large part of his left upper jaw containing a cancer. Cleveland was a heavy user of cigars and alcohol.)
“USE CONGRESS CUT PLUG”
Advertising card for Congress Cut Plug tobacco
Circa 1870s
“COME ALL YOU TRUE BORN DEMOCRATS,
YOU HARDY HEARTS OF OAK,
WHO KNOWS A THING WHEN IT IS GOOD
AND BLACKWELL’S DURHAM SMOKE,
GAZE ON THIS FACE AND YOU WILL SEE
YOUR PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
THE SAGE AND STATESMAN S. J. T.”
(Click on image of S. J. T. to reveal surprise)
“AND ALL YOU GOOD REPUBLICANS
WILL SURELY BE ENCHANTED,
WHEN YOU BEHOLD THE VISAGE HERE,
AND TAKE THE FACT FOR GRANTED
THAT HE WILL WIN, IF HE WILL BE
YOUR PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE,
THE SOLDIER HERO U. S. G.”
“BUT THOUGH YOU DIFFER IN YOUR VIEWS
POLITICAL, WE HOPE
YOU COINCIDE WHEN WE REMARK,
THE CHOICEST BRAND TO SMOKE
IS BLACKWELL’S GENUINE DURHAM,
THAT SUITS EVERY TASTE NO MATTER WHAT,
REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.”
Double-image advertising card by Seitz & Kleinert, Philadelphia, for Blackwell’s Genuine Durham Tobacco
1876
“PRESIDENTIAL POSSIBILITIES
JOSEPH R. HAWLEY
OF CONNECTICUT”
Advertising card from a set of twenty-five depicting “Presidential Possibilities” for the 1892 election, distributed by Giles Company, New York in packs of Honest Long Cut Tobacco for Smoking and Chewing
1892.
(Curator’s note: Joseph Roswell Hawley [1826-1905] was an abolitionist, a general in the Union Army in the Civil War, the 42nd governor of Connecticut [1866-1867], publisher of the Hartford Courant, a member of the United States House of Representatives [1872-1875; 1879-1881], and U.S. Senator [1881-1905].)
Political campaign pinback button for Presidential candidate William McKinley
Promotional item by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Sweet Caporal cigarettes
1896
(Curator’s Note: Republican William McKinley [1843-1901] served as the 25th President of the United States from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. He served as governor of Ohio from 1892 to 1896 and as a Member of the United States House of Representatives from 1877 to 1884 and from 1885 to 1891.)
“POLITICAL INFORMATION for 1896
Compliments of
LIGGETT & MYERS TOBACCO CO.
ST. LOUIS“ (7 pages)
22-page promotional booklet by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Crimps cigarettes (pages 7 to 14 missing)
1896
“CRIMPS — a superior Cigarette
Made without paste or glue — Try them.”
“To Our Readers.
“WE wish to call your attention for a few minutes to the newest and best of cigarettes — Crimps. As the name indicates, the laps on these cigarettes are secured by crimping. The lap is only 1/12 of an inch in width, and looks very much like the seam made by a sewing machine. As this crimped lap is very narrow, there is consequently much less paper to each cigarette, and as there is no nasty paste or glue used in their manufacture, the two most objectionable features to cigarettes are entirely removed.
“Crimps are made from the finest grades of Virginia and Carolina leaf, most carefully manipulated, and we do not hesitate to guarantee them the best of all.
“While no pains or expense has been spared in perfecting the cigarette, the package also has received its share of attention and is indeed a work of art. Lithographed after the style of an English master, it is the richest and yet the neatest box that can be made.
“Superior in finish, in the prettiest of boxes, and best of all, the finest smoke in the land, Crimps can well afford to stand on their merits. If you want a gentleman’s smoke, try Crimps.”
“The blind man staggers, the lame man limps,
The cigarette smoker asks for CRIMPS.”
Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Crimps cigarettes on pages 20 and 21 of political promotional booklet
1896
*****
“THESE PLUG TOBACCO AND CIGARETTE FACTORIES OCCUPY 20 ACRES OF GROUND. THE LACK OF SPACE PREVENTS CIGARETTE FACTORY FROM BEING SHOWN IN THIS PICTURES. THIS PLANT HAS A FRONTAGE OF NEARLY ONE MILE ON ITS NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN BOUNDARIES — PARK AND FOLSOM AVENUES”
–caption of engraving on page 22
“When Tired of reading political dope – Read about STAR PLUG
Whatever your POLITICS vote for your FAVORITE BRAND:
STAR”
Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Star plug tobacco on page 5 of political promotional booklet
1912
“OFFICIAL Political and other Valuable INFORMATION
1912” (11 pages)
22-page promotional booklet by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company
1912
“A Distinctively Individual Voter SMOKES
FATIMA CIGARETTES”
Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Fatima cigarettes on page 8 of political promotional booklet
1912
“OFFICIAL
POLITICAL
AND OTHER
VALUABLE
INFORMATION
1916″ (12 pages)
Promotional booklet by the Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Piedmont cigarettes, Fatima cigarettes, and several brands of pipe tobacco and chewing tobacco
1916
“FATIMA
A Sensible Cigarette”
Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company on page 12 of political promotional booklet
1916
“The Book of PRESIDENTS” (14 pages)
Promotional booklet by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Granger pipe tobacco
1932
“‘How you love that old pipe!’
America’s pipe tobacco — and here’s why:
1 Made by Wellman’s Method — an 1870 Tobacco Secret
2 Cut for Pipes Only
3 Big Flakes that Burn Slow and Cool
4 Sweet to the End —
Never Gums a Pipe”
See pages 14-15: “Class of men who became president”
“… and at all 6 stands in the Capitol building”
Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Fatima cigarettes
LIFE Magazine
1918
“A fact:
The 6 tobacco stands in the Capitol building at Washington are patronized mainly by the big business and professional men from all sections of the United States who are constantly coming into and passing out of Washington.
At each one of these stands more Fatimas are sold every day than any other cigarette, regardless of price — which seems to show that the preference for Fatima is really nation-wide.
FATIMA
A Sensible Cigarette
“Men who think straight and decide quickly like a cigarette that, besides pleasing their taste, leaves them feeling fit throughout the day.”
“UNCLE SAM”
Three cigar box labels
Circa 1900
“CONGRESS PERFECTO CIGARS”
Cigar box label
Circa 1900
“SENATE BOUQUET CIGARS”
Cigar box label
Circa 1900
“PRESIDENT EXTRA CIGARS”
Cigar box label
Circa 1900
“HAND MADE
American Citizen
POPULAR EVERYWHERE”
Cigar box label featuring President George Washington
Unknown manufacturer
Circa 1900
“OLD HICKORY”
Cigar box label featuring President Andrew Jackson
Circa 1900
“OLD ABE”
Cigar box label featuring President Abraham Lincoln
Circa 1900
“FIRST CABINET
THOS. JEFFERSON SEC. OF STATE
HENDRICK KNOX SEC. OF WAR
JOHN ADAMS VICE PRES.
GEO. WASHINGTON PRESIDENT
ALEX. HAMILTON TREAS.”
Cigar box label
Van Dam Cigar Company
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Circa 1920
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Fine 10 Cent Cigars
Cigar box
J. T. Sheehan, cigar maker, Norwalk, Connecticut
Circa 1905
“SENATOR VIRGINIA CUT PLUG SMOKING TOBACCO”
Pipe tobacco tin
B. Houde Company Limited, Quebec, Canada
Circa 1905
“Four million voters
Repeat – no arrests”
Magazine advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for Chesterfield cigarettes
1918
“SPEAKING OF elections. BUT GENTLY, if possible. TO AVOID bloodshed. YOU KNOW what chance. A REPUBLICAN used to have. OF GETTING votes. IN THE ‘Solid South.’ WELL, THERE was a bird. WHO RAN for office. ON THE Republican slate. IN GEORGIA, of all places. AND WHEN the returns. WERE FIGURED out. HE HAD two votes. AND THE election officials. HAD HIM arrested. FOR REPEATING. SO ALL you voters. WHO WANT to repeat. DON’T DO it with votes. GO TO some smoke shop. AND CAST a ballot. FOR CHESTERFIELDS. THEN YOU’LL ‘repeat.’ YOU JUST can’t help it. AND NO election official. CAN PINCH you, either. FOR ‘COMING back.’ IN FACT, we hear. FOUR MILLION smokers. OF THIS cigarette. REPEAT REPEATEDLY. ‘THEY SATISFY.’”
“No other candidate has a chance with Chesterfields in the running. Over four million smokers have picked Chesterfields, and every return swells the votes. It surely is a landslide for the ‘satisfy’ platform. Are you on?”
“Senator Watson, noted for his fine voice, writes: “Smoking is a great pleasure and diversion to me. I get so much enjoyment from Lucky Strikes because I know that I can smoke them at will with no fears of any ill effects upon my voice.”
Advertisement by The American Tobacco Company for Lucky Strike cigarettes, featuring U.S. Senator James E. Watson.
The American Magazine
July 1927
(Curator’s notes: Watson [1864-1945], a major figure in Indiana Republican politics for nearly half a century, served as a U.S. Senator from 1916 to 1933 and was Senate Majority Leader from 1929 to 1933.
In addition to the hundreds of athletes, actresses, actors, opera singers, and radio and TV personalities who were paid to endorse Lucky Strike cigarettes between the 1920s and the 1950s, at least ten sitting members of the United States Senate gave such paid testimonials. The New York Times reported [February 2, 1937] that each senator received $1000 from The American Tobacco Company for these endorsements.)
“U.S. Senator Reynolds says: ‘Luckies are considerate of my throat.’”
Newspaper advertisement by The American Tobacco Company for Lucky Strike cigarettes, featuring the Honorable Robert R. Reynolds, U.S. Senator from North Carolina
1937
(Curator’s note:Reynolds [1884-1963], who served in the Senate from 1932 to 1945, was an outspoken isolationist and an admirer of Nazi Germany. In 1939 he called for a 10-year ban on immigration and for new immigrants to be detained in concentration camps. According to American Swastika, a book by Charles Higham [Doubleday: 1985], Reynolds was part-owner of an antisemitic newspaper, The Defender.)
“Senator Charles Curtis, Leader of the U.S. Senate,
writes:
‘Lucky Strikes do not affect the voice. I notice that most of my colleagues in the Senate now use them.
‘They do so, not only because they know that they are kind to the throat, but also because they give the greatest enjoyment.’
‘It’s toasted’
Your Throat Protection
Advertisement by The American Tobacco Company for Lucky Strike cigarettes
New York American
May 23, 1927
(Curator’s note: Curtis [1860-1936] was the 31st Vice-President of the United States from 1929 to 1933 under Herbert Hoover. A popular conservative Republican from Kansas and the first Native American to serve in the United States Congress, Curtis was a member of the U. S. House of Representatives from 1893 to 1907 and a U.S. senator from 1907 to 1913 and from 1915 to 1929. He served as Senate Majority Leader from 1924 to 1929.)
“OLD GOLD CAPTURES CHICAGO
IN ONE AFTERNOON
WINDY CITY GIVES O. Gs. BIG PLURALITY IN RIPLEY’S NEWEST CIGARETTE TASTE-TEST”
Advertisement by the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company for Old Gold cigarettes
The Dallas Morning News
January 19, 1931
“CHICAGO POLICE HALT while Ripley gets the real dope on cigarette tastes from Chicago’s husky army of gangland fighters. OLD GOLD was their choice.”
“OFFICIAL BOX – SCORE
As audited by Certified Public Accountant
‘I hereby certify that the following is a true and complete audit of the test of the four leading cigarettes, conducted by Robert Ripley, in Chicago.’
OLD GOLD … 369
Brand X ………260
Brand Y ………259
Brand Z ………219
(Signed) WM. W. THOMPSON & CO.
Certified Public Accountant”
“OLD GOLD SWEEPS PHILADELPHIA!
“Scores nearly 2 to 1 over Nearest Rival in City-wide Test of 4 leading Cigarettes”
Advertisement by the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company for Old Gold cigarettes
The Dallas Morning News
1931
“THE OFFICIAL BOX – SCORE
As audited by Certified Public Accountant
‘I hereby certify that the following is a true and complete audit of the test of the four leading cigarettes, conducted by Robert Ripley, in Philadelphia.’
OLD GOLD 423
Brand X …. 206
Brand Y …. 220
Brand Z …. 135
(Signed) : J. S. M. GOODLOE
Certified public Accountant”
“… TESTERS AT INDEPENDENCE SQUARE! At left you see Ripley conducting test in famous Independence Square under shadow of the Liberty Bell..”
“OLD GOLD TAKES DETROIT ‘IN HIGH..’’
Advertisement by the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company for Old Gold cigarettes
The Dallas Morning News
1931
“MOTOR CITY SITS IN ON RIPLEY’S FOIR-BRAND CIGARETTE TEST. YES, O. G. WINS!
“Won’t somebody … some city … some section … please step up and lick OLD GOLD in one of these four-brand taste-tests … just for variety?
“Take Detroit! I took it … or rather OLD GOLD did … in stride. Greeted the Mayor. Met Detroit Clubmen. Stood in the middle of the International Bridge. Raced all over town, with four leading brands of cigarettes to be sampled by Detroit’s busy populace.
“And what happened? The same OLD GOLD story! The same OLD GOLD win! This time by a 33% margin!”
“VOTED WET! … Nothing can stop Ripley when he’s tracking down truth. Even the swimmers in Detroit’s Athletic Club took the OLD GOLD test.
OFFICIAL BOX – SCORE
‘I hereby certify that the following is a true and complete audit of the test of the four leading cigarettes conducted by Robert Ripley in Detroit.’
OLD GOLD ….. 251
Brand X ………. 171
Brand Y ………. 196
Brand Z ………. 159
(Signed) J. LEE BOOTHE
Certified Public Accountant”
“PITTSBURGH GOES OLD GOLD BY BIG PLURALITY
Famous Steel City gives O.G.s. Smashing Vote in latest Ripley Taste-Test”
Advertisement by the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company for Old Gold cigarettes
The Dallas Morning News
January 12, 1931
“Believe it or not, taste is taste, whether its owner sports I dinner coat or a dinner pail.
I covered Pittsburgh from the Mayor’s office to the sootiest, hottest steel mills. Gave every mother’s son I met the four leading cigarettes with brand names concealed, and said, ‘Try ‘em!’
“At the steel mills, OLD GOLD won … by 34%. At the William Penn Hotel … O. G. won … by 32%. At Pittsburgh Police Headquarters, O. G. by 49%. At the Westinghouse works … a high voltage victory. O. G. ahead by 36%!
“Blue bloods … red bloods … brain and brawn … they all like OLD GOLD’S throat-ease and taste thrill.
Can’t OLD GOLD lose? It hasn’t yet.”
“CARNEGIE TECH … All American Football Capt. Dreshar and classmates take concealed name test.”
“OFFICIAL BOX – SCORE
As audited by Certified Public Accountant
‘I hereby certify that the following is a true and complete audit of the test ofn the four leading cigarettes, conducted by Robert Ripley, in Pittsburgh.’
OLD GOLD … 334
Brand X ……… 203
Brand Y ……… 229
Brand Z ……. 176
(Signed): MAIN COMPANY,
Certified Public Accountant”
“OLD GOLD SPILLS THE BEANS IN BOSTON
Upsets rival brands with Sweeping Victory…
In Ripley’s latest Taste-test”
Advertisement by the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company for Old Gold cigarettes
The Philadelphia Record
February 4, 1931
“They held another ‘tea-party’ at Boston the other Day. ‘Down with the tyranny of habit! was the cry. ‘Let’s find out which cigarette really tastes the best.’
“From Back-Bay to the Fishing docks, it was another Boston rebellion. Throwing brand prejudice overboard … more than a thousand Boston smokers compared the four leading cigarettes, with the brand names hidden.
“They didn’t know which was which. They didn’t care. All the wanted was to pick out the best tasting cigarette.
“At Lexington … modern minute Men needed hardly a minute to give O.G. a 2 to 1 victory. At Bunker Hill, OLD GOLD’S cool, throat-easy quality completely routed the enemy.
“No taxation without representation’ … said the Boston of long ago. “No throat-tax … and unlimited joy,’ says the Boston of today.
(signed) Ripley”
“OFFICIAL BOX – SCORE
“As audited by a Boston Firm of Accountants
“‘I hereby certify that the following is a true and complete audit of the test of the four leading cigarettes, conducted by Robert Ripley, in Boston.’
OLD GOLD…..431
Brand X……….268
Brand Y………..299
Brand Z………..220
“Main and Company Accountants and Auditors”
“TOBACCO CAPITAL VOTES OLD GOLD BEST
FIRST IN THE TASTE OF HIS COUNTRYMEN … O. G. wins big plurality vote in Ripley taste-test made at Washington monument, Richmond”
Advertisement by the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company for Old Gold cigarettes
The Dallas Morning News
February 12, 1931
“RICHMOND AWARDS O. G. BIG VICTORY OVER RIVAL BRANDS IN RIPLEY’S FIRST TASTETEST DOWN SOUTH
“By ROBERT RIPLEY, Himself
“I went down to Richmond, Virginia, the other day. Richmond, one of the nation’s capitals in tobacco products, where they know tobacco like Detroit knows motor cars.
“I gave 904 Richmond smokers one each of the four leading cigarettes … with the names hidden by a black mask.
“‘Don’t try to guess ‘em, Richmond!’ I said. ‘Just smoke ‘em … and pick out the cigarette that tastes best.’
“It was the same old story. Again, O. G. rolled up a decisive majority vote. Chosen by the world’s foremost tobacco town for its superior throat-ease and smoothness.
“If that isn’t a Supreme Court decision … what is?”
“FINAL BOX – SCORE
As audited by Certified Public Accountant
‘I hereby certify that the following is a true and complete audit of the test of the four leading cigarettes, conducted by Robert Ripley, in Richmond.’
OLD GOLD … 298
Brand X ……. 208
Brand Y …… 214
Brand Z …… 184
(Signed)
F, I. WORCESTER & CO.,
Certified public Accountant”
“THROAT DOCTORS VOTE OLD GOLD
BEST FOR YOUR THROAT”
Advertisement by the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company for Old Gold cigarettes
The Dallas Morning News
1931
“[Robert] Ripley … CREATOR OF ‘BELIEVE IT OR NOT’ … GIVES HIS FAMOUS CIGARETTE TEST TO GROUP OF N.Y. THROAT DOCTORS
‘AGAIN, I TESTED the 4 leading cigarette brands with a group of throat specialists. “Doctors,” I said, “the names of these cigarettes are covered up. Don’t try to guess which is which. Just smoke them – and tell me which cigarette is easiest on the throat.”
‘They did that. And again OLD GOLD won by a big majority. Voted the best for taste and throat comfort.
‘Throat doctors know what harsh tobacco does to throat membrane. They voted for O.G. because its clean sun-ripened queen-leaf tobacco is like honey to the throat. You can’t hide O.G.’s better tobaccos. Its throat-ease wins .. even when the name is covered up.’”
“CERTIFIED PROOF!
‘I hereby certify that the following is the correct score of the cigarette test conducted by Ripley, among Throat Doctors. OLD GOLD 50%; Brand X 0%; Brand Y 25%; Brand Z 25%.’
‘(Signed) J.S.M. Goodloe
Certified Public Accountant
165 Broadway, New York”
“If a political campaign makes you hot under the collar…
remember …
that’s where your throat is.
so keep it KOOL.”
Advertisement by the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation for KOOL cigarettes
The Saturday Evening Post
1944
“IN EITHER CASE, KEEP KOOL”
Promotional pinback button by Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company for KOOL cigarettes
1944
“IN EITHER CASE … KEEP KOOL”
Newspaper advertisement by Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation for KOOL cigarettes
1944
“IN THE HEAT OF ELECTIONS
REMEMBER THE RULES –
AND REGARDLESS OF PARTY, CAST YOUR BALLOT FOR KOOLS!
THROAT ROUGH?
Switch from ‘hots’ to KOOLS as your steady smoke
For that clean, KOOL taste!”
Newspaper Sunday funnies advertisement by Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation for Kool cigarettes
October 26, 1936
“VOTED TOPS!
CHESTERFIELD
THE LARGEST SELLING CIGARETTE
IN AMERICA’S COLLEGES”
Magazine advertisement by the Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company
1947
“L&M has found the secret that UNLOCKS FLAVOR in a filter cigarette”
Advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for L & M cigarettes
TOBACCO (tobacco industry trade weekly)
July 15, 1960
“L&M has found the secret that UNLOCKS FLAVOR in a filter cigarette”
Magazine advertisement by Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company for L & M cigarettes
1960
“Johnny CAMPAIGNS AGAINST Cigarette Hangover”
Newspaper advertisement in the Sunday funnies By Philip Morris, Inc. for Philip Morris cigarettes
Circa 1947
“’IF YOU ELECT ME…’
“’WHAT HAPPENED TO BILL’S VOICE. IT’S CRACKING.’
”’I DON’T KNOW. IF HIS VOICE DOESN’T STAND UP, HE WON’T WIN THE ELECTION.
HE HAS SO MANY SPEECHES TO MAKE.’
“’BILL, AS YOUR WIFE, I’VE GOT TO WARN YOU. YOU CAN’T RUN FOR ELECTION IF YOU CAN’T TALK. WHAT’S HAPPENED TO YOUR VOICE?’
“’I DON’T KNOW. I WIND UP FEELING ALL ‘SMOKED OUT’ WITH A STALE, MUSTY TASTE IN MY MOUTH. I LOVE TO SMOKE, BUT IT’S TOUGH ON MY THROAT.’
“'[Little Johnny:] THOSE MAY BE SIGNS OF CIGARETTE IRRITATION, BILL. WE CALL IT “CIGARETTE HANGOVER.” BETTER CHANGE TO A MILDER, CLEANER, FRESHER SMOKE — PHILIP MORRIS.’
“AFTER THE ELECTION…
“’CONGRATULATIONS, MR. MAYOR. YOU WON BY A LANDSLIDE.’
“'[Little Johnny:] PHILIP MORRIS WINS WITH ME!
IT’S A SWELL CIGARETTE. IT DELIVERS WHAT IT PROMISES…’”
“VOTE FOR PHILIP MORRIS”
Promotional pinback button by Philip Morris Inc. featuring Little Johnny for Philip Morris cigarettes
Circa 1940
****
“Comic Strips Bringing ‘Johnny’ Into Homes”
“With comic strips playing such an important part in American life, Philip Morris & Co. has taken advantage of the opportunity to bring its famous call boy ‘Johnny’ into over twenty-seven million homes every other Sunday via the comic sheets.
“Various situations will be presented where Johnny does a good deed and shows himself to be not only a hero but also a swell fellow, and, of course, there will be a plug for Philip Morris.
“With such popular comic strip characters as Popeye, who boosted spinach, and Maggie and Jiggs, who popularized corned beef and cabbage, the company feels that Johnny, who is real, can do still more for Philip Morris cigarettes.
“Posters popularizing the new drive will be featured in many retail shops.”
Article in UNITED STATES TOBACCO JOURNAL
October 18, 1947
“’I LIKE IKE’”
Eisenhower for President Cigarettes produced by Tobacco Blending Corporation, Louisville, Kentucky, for presidential election campaign
1952
(Source: Collection of Melvin Aiken, viewed on Cigarette Collectors Blog)
(Curator’s note: Dwight David Eisenhower [1890-1969] was Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe in World War II. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 1952 and 1956 elections and served as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 to 1961.)
“STEVENSON FOR PRESIDENT”
Promotional cigarette pack produced for presidential election campaign
1952
(Source: wikimedia common)
(Curator’s note: Adlai Ewing Stevenson II [1900-1965] served as the 31st governor of Illinois from 1949 to 1953. He was the Democratic candidate for president in the 1952 and 1956 elections. From 1961 to 1965, he served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations.)
“KOOL PRESIDENTIAL GUIDE 1960
‘IN EITHER CASE SMOKE KOOL'” (30 pages)
Promotional booklet by Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation for Kool cigarettes
1960
“Only KOOL
gives you real
Menthol Magic”
Illustration of Willie the Penguin, an Uncle Sam hat, and the seal of the President of the United States
In KOOL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION GUIDE 1964
Page 2
“KOOL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION GUIDE 1964
‘IN EITHER CASE SMOKE KOOL'”(24 pages)
Promotional booklet by Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation for Kool cigarettes
1964
“feel extra coolness in your throat…
Through Kool’s pure white filter comes the most refreshing coolness you can get in any cigarette”
“ROSEMARY
FOR PRESIDENT Someday.
Meanwhile you’ve got Virginia Slims. The Taste for today’s woman.
You’ve come a long way, baby.”
Magazine advertisement by Philip Morris Inc. for Virginia Slims cigarettes, featuring Virginia Slims Womens Tennis Circuit player Rosemary Cassals
1970
“Back then on election day, men chose the leaders, women chose the meals.
You’ve come a long way, baby.
VIRGINIA SLIMS”
Magazine advertisement by Philip Morris Inc. for Virginia Slims cigarettes, featuring model Cheryl Tiegs
1976
“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”
Editorial cartoon by Herb Block (1909-2001), syndicated cartoonist of The Washington Post
The Miami Herald
December 10, 1977
(Curator’s note: Smoking was a prominent and contentious issue in the lead-up to the 1980 presidential election, in which Republican candidate Ronald Reagan defeated Democratic President Jimmy Carter [1924- ] and independent candidate John B. Anderson [1922-2017]. The hue and cry in tobacco-growing states over Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joseph Califano, Jr.’s vocal campaign against smoking led President Carter to visit North Carolina to offer reassurances to tobacco farmers that “research” would help make smoking in the future “even more safe than it has been in the past.” In a response to a reporter’s question at a press conference while visiting North Carolina, Carter tried to have it both ways:)
“So, I would say there’s a well-balanced campaign to protect the health of our Nation, which is Joe Califano’s responsibility, on the one hand, and to preserve the health and stability of the tobacco industry, which is under Bob Berglund, Secretary of Agriculture, and myself.”
(See also the Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society’s exhibition, “Jimmy Carter: Pro-Tobacco President, Anti-Smoking Ex-President“)
“President to Visit Tobacco Country To Attempt to Bolster Candidates”
By Wayne King
The New York Times
August 5, 1978
“…Tobacco will bring in close to a billion dollars to farmers alone this year, and processing into cigarettes will add that much again and more.
“It is therefore no surprise to see bumper stickers here that proclaim, ‘Califano is dangerous to your health,’ or to hear the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare referred to as ‘Caliphony’ or ‘Joe Caligula.’
“Causing Problems for Democrats
“Just how much damage Mr. Califano’s antismoking campaigns are doing to President Carter’s popularity … appears to have been forcefully brought home to President Carter.
“Tomorrow, the President will visit Wilson, a town of about 30,000 people about 40 miles from here in the heart of bright leaf tobacco country.
“Ostensibly, the trip is purely political… But it is also an attempt to tum away some of the anger that Mr. Califano’s militant stance against smoking has generated among tobacco people here.”
“Election Day is PM’s ticket to campaign”
Article by William F. Gloede
Advertising Age (trade weekly)
October 1986
,
(Curator’s Note: For the 1986 election year, Philip Morris offered a free “Election Day Kit” with an overview of the races for Senate and Governor and a summary of other issues on state ballots. The company also distributed bumper stickers and buttons with the slogan, “Democracy- Vote for It on Nov. 4″ and provided free transportation to the polls in a “Bus to the Booth” program.)
‘”We’re rethinking our point of view on corporate advertising, to see how comfortable we are with using the corporate advertising people to encourage people to do good as opposed talking about the good things we do,’ said George Knox, PM”s director-corporate relations. ‘We are not certain, frankly, that a lot of corporate advertising gets read. We not only want it read, we want it to mean something to somebody. It also does not hurt PM to be seen as a guarantor of the rights to vote and speak freely in an environment permeated by cries from antismoking lobbyists in Washington ·and in statehouses nationwide for stricter antismoking laws and a ban on cigarette advertising.'”
“The Philip Morris Political Action Committee
PHIL
PAC” (19 pages)
May 1, 1978
Source: Philip Morris Records, Truth Tobacco Industry Documents
“At Philip Morris we are proud of our quality products and our quality people. Together they make our company a leader among corporations in America. We think of ourselves as a corporate family, and as such we are committed to the well-being of our shareholders, our employees, our customers, and the well-being of the economic system of which we are a part. As a legitimate business – developing, producing, and marketing our products in a free enterprise economy – we have been able to meet these commitments and to grow and prosper.
“But what would happen if our markets were denied us? This relationship would break down. We would not be able to meet our commitments, and we would no longer be a successful corporate enterprise. As you know, there are those who want laws that would limit the use of many of our products. There are those who would tax many of our products beyond the ability or the desire of our customers to purchase them. There are those who would so burden and restrict our operations that we could no longer be a profitable business. As a matter of fact, there are even those who would like to see us out of business…
“Our efforts to remain a viable corporation, and to continue to provide those things to our shareholders, our customers, our employees, and our communities which we have provided in the past, are dependent upon the political fabric of our country. We are dependent upon a legal system which permits us to carry on our business. For this reason it is imperative that we use every lawful means at our disposal to help our elected representatives realize and understand what is necessary to insure the survival of that system. Greater political participation is the most effective way to accomplish this.
“Philip Morris has always taken pride in being a good corporate citizen. Our charitable contributions, our community programs, our educational grants, and our involvement in the arts all highlight our efforts to make our country a better place in which to live. The same attitude applies to our participation in the political process. We have always encouraged our employees to play an active role in their political parties and campaigns of their choice Now, such participation is more important t6han ever. We find ourselves in the midst of a political battle, a battle not of our own choosing, but a battle we cannot afford to lose…
“Philip Morris has formed a politic al action committee (PHIL-PAC) for the primary purpose of soliciting political contributions from its executive and administrative … employees and its shareholders, and distributing these contributions to candidates for public office. We hope to elect those who will speak out and vote for the kind of good government that will allow all of us – and all Americans – to make a fair and decent living… “Questions and Answers About the Philip Morris Political Action Committee (PHIL-PAC)
“[Question:] …What will be the criteria for candidate selection?
“[Answer:] The primary criteria will be:
1.) the candidate’s ability to render effective public service in the
office he is seeking; and
2.) the candidate’s known position and record on issues important to Philip Morris and the free enterprise system.”
“SUBJECT: ‘The Game’” (2 pages)
Philip Morris U.S.A. Interoffice correspondence from Guy L. Smith IV, vice-president corporate affairs, to Frank Resnik, CEO
June 19, 1985
Philip Morris Records
Source: Truth Tobacco Industry Documents
https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/tobacco/docs/#id=fscf0131
“For several years Philip Morris U.S.A. has had a major presence at, and major relationship with, the National Conference of State Legislators. In addition to major funding and year-long activities with the NCHL leadership, our presence was also very high profile at the NCSL’s annual meeting. This presence generally centers around entertaining and lobbying.
“In an effort to be more aggressive in the education of legislators, while not being overbearing or destroying the general easy-going atmosphere of the annual meeting, we have developed ‘The Game.’
“Using computer technology and Philip Morris U.S.A. Corporate Affairs advanced wsord-processing systems, Corporate Affairs has developed a computer game that can be played by any state legislator.
“’The Game’ Works As Follows:
“State Senator John Smith of Any State, U.S.A. sits down at a computer console in the PM USA Hospitality Suite during the NCSL annual meeting. The computer greets the ‘player’ with a computer-generated rendition of the theme from Marlboro Country. The computer then asks the player to type his or her name and state, which is then followed by a series of basic instructions on how to play the game. Then, by executing a simple command, the player can begin ‘The Game.’ The computer asks the player a series of questions, some related to tobacco in his or her state, some on tobacco generally, some about Miller Brewing Company and The Seven-Up Company. The questions are all multiple choice and scoring is cumulative. If the player gets five wrong answers he ‘craps out’ and the game is terminated.
“Players will receive prizes of various brand and company-identified premium items and the high scorer for the week will receive the ‘Grand Prize.’ The Grand Prize will be a $1,000 scholarship in the name of the legislator to a school in his or her district…
“’The Game’ is designed to subtly, yet compellingly, educate the player on tobacco issues. There are 51 different games (the 50 states and the District of Columbia)
“…While it is still going through a shakedown phase in preparation for the August NCSL meeting, we would be honored to have you as the first ‘player.’”
“DUKAKIS FOR PRESIDENT KING SIZE FILTERS”
Promotional cigarette pack produced for presidential campaign
1988
(Source: wikimedia common)
(Curator’s note: Michael Stanley Dukakis [1933- ] served as governor of Massachusetts from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983-1991. In 1988, he was the Democratic candidate for president.)
“BUSH FOR PRESIDENT KING-SIZE FILTERS”
Promotional cigarette pack produced for presidential campaign
1988
(Source: wikimedia common)
(Curator’s note: Texas Republican George Herbert Walker Bush [1924-2018] served in the United State House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971, as United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 1971 to 1973, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1976 to 1977. He was the 43rd Vice-President of the United States from 1981 to 1989 and served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993.)
“[Republican presidential candidate Senator Bob Dole:] Using tobacco isn’t necessarily addictive!”
Political cartoon by Matt Wuerker
1996
(Curator’s Note: Kansas Republican Robert Joseph Dole [1923-2021] served in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1996. During his 1996 presidential campaign as the Republican nominee, he famously downplayed the dangers of smoking. “We know it’s [tobacco] not good for kids,” he said, “but a lot of other things aren’t good…Some would say milk’s not good.” Led by Philip Morris, cigarette manufacturers have long been major contributors to both the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as to the pet charities of legislators, such as Dole’s Foundation for Employment of People with Disabilities.)
“It’s not about the stupid old plant to me. It’s about the insanity of advertising and marketing, the evil genius of Joe Camel. Just imagine what could be accomplished by shifting the billions of bucks we spend pushing cigarettes to a campaign for a ‘Robbie-get-off-my-lard-ass-and-get-some-damn-exercise-Racoon’ or a ‘Skinny Eddie-ditch-the-junk-food-Squirrel.’”
–Artist statement by Matt Wuerker for the Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society’s exhibition “Cartoonists Take Up Smoking!”
“SPECIAL ELECTION ISSUE
Smooth
MAGAZINE
1992’s DARK HORSE…
A CAMEL!
Joe Camel
Camel Party Candidate”
“‘I LIKE JOE'”
Cover of multipage promotion by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company for Camel cigarettes, inserted in magazines
1992
“VOTE THE CAMEL PARTY”
“CAMEL PARTY MEMBER”
“CAMEL PARTY BIGWIG”
“VOTE ’92”
“NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY FACE”
Promotional buttons by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company for Camel cigarettes
1992
(Curator’s note: Barely a decade after being introduced to Americans, Joe Camel had become the most ubiquitous cigarette brand image after the Marlboro cowboy. Family physician and researcher Paul Fischer and colleagues published a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association that found that six-year-olds could identify Joe Camel as readily Mickey Mouse and other Disney cartoon characters.)
“Philip Morris’ Donations Target Minority Groups:
Internal Company Memos Indicate Strong Lobbying Effort Against Tax and Anti-Smoking Bills”
Article by Charles R. Babcock
The Washington Post
August 15, 1992
“Philip Morris Cos. Inc. donated more than $17 million to schools, hospitals and cultural and charity groups last year, targeting minority organizations that might help defeat tax and anti-smoking bills, according to internal company documents.
“The documents, released by an anti-smoking group and dated between 1988 and last year, also show the giant tobacco, beer and food conglomerate’s lobbying efforts in seven states. The memos made ‘political power assessments’ of friendly and unfriendly legislators, and budgeted political and charitable donations alike for ‘constituency development.’
“One 1989 memo on legislative strategies said donations to one Texas politician were designed ‘at the very least’ to buy his silence. The ‘tools’ lobbyists used besides donations were honoraria, sponsoring events, trips and charitable donations. A contract lobbyist in Arizona was identifying ‘key members’ pet (charitable] projects.’ Of giving to charity groups in Louisiana, the memo said: ‘We give where there is political benefit.’
“A list of 1988 donations to minority groups, including blacks, Hispanics and women, contained comments about new groups ‘to explore for cultivation’ and how others voted down resolutions to increase tobacco, beer and wine taxes. Alan Blum, head of Doctors Ought to Care (DOC) in Houston, which released the documents, said yesterday that he got them from someone who ‘found them.’ He timed their release for the start of the Republican National Convention, whose chairman is Craig Fuller, a former aide to George Bush and now a top Philip
Morris executive.
“Philip Morris and many other corporations are sponsoring parties for the convention delegates. ‘For the party that talks so much about a drug-free America to have this kind of relationship with a tobacco company is beyond hypocrisy,’ Blum said.
“He said he is critical of Democrats taking tobacco money as well. Blum called the documents ‘a printed explanation for the silence of so many otherwise reputable organizations. The money they give to health groups is sickening.’”
“PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL
Cordially invites you to attend a
Convention Supper…
During the Republican National Convention”
Invitation to a V.I.P. Dinner at the Sheraton Astrodome Hotel adjoining the Houston Astrodome, site of the Republican National Convention
August 18, 1992
“Signed, sealed, delivered
FDA regulation of tobacco becomes law”
“‘Beneficial effects will be fewer than anticipated’
TJI interview with Dr. Adrian Payne
[former head of international public health and scientific affairs at British American Tobacco and a former senior manager in the pharmaceutical industry, including at GlaxoWellcome]“ (6 pages)
Cover stories by Stefanie Rossel
Tobacco Journal International (tobacco industry trade bi-monthly)
June/July 2009
“Following debate that lasted more than a decade, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which entitles the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) [sic: the correct name is the Food and Drug Administration] to regulate tobacco products, was finally signed into law on 22 June 2009, opening a new chapter for the US tobacco industry.
“…Public health advocates were disappointed and claimed that the bill…would perpetuate the myth that there are ‘safer’ cigarettes while, at the same time, it bans new smoke-free alternatives, such as Swedish-style snus, and will mislead consumers into believing that they are as hazardous as cigarettes despite proof that they are not. A further criticism was that, under the new law, tobacco-free products, such as electronic cigarettes, will be prohibited, too…
“The bill, HR 1256/S 982, also known as the Waxman/Kennedy bill…was supported strongly by Philip Morris USA, raising concerns among competitors and critics that it might cement PM USA’s market leader position. Others thought the FDA was not the right body to oversee tobacco products regulation…
“Tobacco analysts said they did not believe that the FDA tobacco regulation would have an adverse impact on the US tobacco industry’s overall operating results.”
“‘Enough is enough! This regime is imposing its murderous, brutal agenda on its own people! It’s time to bring them down!’
“‘He’s finally being tough with Iran?’
“‘He’s talkin’ about tobacco companies.'”
Editorial cartoon by Jerry Holbert
The Boston Herald
July 2, 2009
A Vote for Cancer
Tobacco Advertising and Presidential Elections
“America’s Favorite Cigarette Break.
Benson & Hedges 100’s.”
Magazine advertisement by Philip Morris Inc. for Benson & Hedges 100’s cigarettes
1972
Curated by Alan Blum, MD
Professor and Endowed Chair in Family Medicine
Director, Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society
College of Community Health Sciences
The University of Alabama School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa
Designed by Bryce Callahan
Undergraduate student majoring in computer engineering
Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society
College of Community Health Sciences
The University of Alabama School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa
ALL ITEMS IN THE EXHIBITION ARE FROM THE CENTER’S COLLECTION UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.