this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2026
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Vintage and Retro Ads, Promos, Fliers, Etc.
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What is the deal with the tattoo on his hand?
Its a Bronze Star- a US military medal.
It's a nautical star. An older tatoo, but may still be a thing today.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nautical_star
I figured it was associated with the military as WW2 would have come to an end 10 years beforehand so it would still be in the public zeitgeist but it is just so odd and out of place with his country club tennis outfit.
That seemed like an unusual marketing choice to me, too. So is his age.
I suspect that this is to attract the WWII vet to take up filtered cigarettes. My father-in-law picked up smoking filterless Pall Malls in WWII, and smoked them his whole life. So did my grandfather.
The cigarette companies were facing heat for the health problems with cigarettes, so they started adding filters, and then had to convince people to switch. This was probably specifically trying to get those vets to switch.
Back in those days, most people got tattoos from two environments - the military, or prison. It's doubtful that the ad agency was pitching to the criminal element. The tattoo, the white hair, this was definitely a pitch to Veterans.
its manly
I think they’re trying to show that their cigarettes are appropriate for manly men and country club men.
yup, the mannest of the men who manned the manninness of the man who manned!
Wondering the same thing. Must have been photoshopped in. No way an ad back then would show a tattoo.
The past was in no way as pious as the current conservative movement would like you to believe. For example.